There’s no scarcity of completely abysmal trades within the NBA, nevertheless it seems to be just like the Warmth making a deal for Terry Rozier may change into legendary. By no means earlier than have we seen a deal be made for a participant who got here in, probably tried to actively harm his staff, then get arrested simply over a 12 months later — whereas giving up what may change into a High 8 (or greater) decide.
Let’s respect how this all went down.
It’s January of 2024 and Rozier is on a tear for the Hornets. The staff is rubbish, however he’s primarily the one shiny spot — averaging over 23 factors per sport and shouldering the load in one more injury-shortened LaMalo Ball 12 months. On January 14 the horrific Hornets are blown out by the Warmth, however critically, Rozier had an incredible sport. He scored 26 factors in opposition to Miami, including seven assists and 5 rebounds. It was at this second Miami determined he could possibly be their lacking piece for a playoff run.
On January 23, lower than 10 days after taking part in Miami, the Warmth made this massive transfer sending Charlotte PG Kyle Lowry, and most-importantly a future 1st spherical decide, which might be lottery protected in 2027 and change into unprotected in 2028.
On the time it appeared like a very stable deal for each groups. You possibly can’t fault Miami for seeing a 20+ level scorer and wanting him to be their fourth piece alongside Jimmy Buttler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro. In the meantime the Hornets purchased out Lowry, and added extra future draft property for a staff destined for a rebuild.
The problem is that Terry wasn’t excellent in Miami, probably not. Being a fourth possibility as an alternative of the go-to scorer led to a predictable drop in manufacturing, however extra worrying was a drop in effectivity. Not solely did his area purpose share take a dip, however so did his assists — which was weird contemplating he was working with a much better offensive staff. Rozier additionally had the identical variety of turnovers per sport, which was regarding contemplating he was taking part in fewer minutes in a much less prolific function.
Rozier wasn’t the reply. The Warmth had been eradicated within the first spherical of the playoffs by the Celtics, and Rozier was harm — lacking your entire sequence.
Quick ahead to the next 12 months, and Rozier is even worse. Now his area purpose taking pictures has dropped beneath .400, and his three level taking pictures had dipped beneath .300 for the primary time since his rookie season. Rozier was horrifically inconsistent, vacillating between stable nights, after which completely nothing.
In a single very weird sport on December 12 the Warmth are big favorites in opposition to the struggling Raptors. They win, 114-104 — however Rozier completed ninth on the staff in scoring, taking pictures 1-of-6 from three and never making an attempt a single two pointer.
Quick ahead to as we speak. The Warmth have now traded a 1st spherical decide for a participant who’s underneath arrest by the FBI, with allegations he might have been concerned in level shaving. Furthermore, if the Warmth don’t carry out effectively then the Hornets may get a really excessive draft decide. All for a dude who arrived, sucked, might need been actively harming the staff, after which received arrested.
Regardless of all this it’s nonetheless higher than buying and selling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 5 first rounds picks for Paul George. Sorry Clippers.