Celtics' Rival Strikes Deal for Terry Rozier

After missing out on Damian Lillard this summer, the Miami Heat acquired a player who fits the scoring guard profile they were looking for.

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Two days before the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat meet for the second time this season, the first being a 119-111 victory for the former in its home opener, the latter's struck a deal to acquire Terry Rozier.

That report comes via ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who adds that the 2027 first-round pick Miami's sending with Kyle Lowry to the eight-year veteran's now former team, the Charlotte Hornets, is lottery-protected. It becomes unprotected if it conveys to 2028.

Granted, the Heat's top players not named Bam Adebayo have all missed time this season, but Rozier's joining a team in need of more offensive firepower. Miami is 26th in points per game, producing 110.9 per contest.

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The 29-year-old guard, known most for his scoring, is averaging 23.2 points, 6.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals this season. He's shooting 35.8 percent from beyond the arc on 7.7 attempts. That's in line with his career mark of 36.7 percent on 5.7 shots from three-point range.

Rozier, who preferred to take his talents to South Beach, per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, joins a team led by selfless stars in Jimmy Butler and Adebayo, who have no problem sharing the scoring spotlight.

The former is notorious for pacing himself, even through playoff games. And while the latter's grown in that area by necessity in the 2023-24 campaign, a product of the Heat often playing shorthanded, it's a safe bet that he will also welcome the help.

Now we'll see whether everyone passes their physicals and this trade gets finalized in time for the six-foot-one guard from Youngstown, Ohio, to face the franchise that drafted him on Thursday.

While this author anticipates that happening, more importantly for Miami, who's 24-19 and sixth in the Eastern Conference, after missing out on Damian Lillard over the summer, it has added a player who fits the scoring guard profile it was targeting to help return to the NBA Finals.

And while it's fair to wonder if the Heat reroute Tyler Herro, head coach Erik Spoelstra minimized the defensive concerns of a backcourt featuring Gabe Vincent and Max Strus in the 2023 playoffs by regularly running a zone defense that often gave the Celtics fits in the Eastern Conference Finals.

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Rozier and Herro might be a far cry from Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, but if anyone can limit the damage from having them on the floor together on defense, it's Spoelstra.

Still, Boston, who improved to 34-10 on Monday with a 119-110 win over the Dallas Mavericks, a game where for the 29th time, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown generated at least 30 points, have what's widely considered the most talented top six in the NBA.

It's also a more mature Celtics team than the one that started last year's Eastern Conference Finals down 0-3. There's been considerable growth from head coach Joe Mazzulla as well, with second-year bench boss more comfortable and placing more of his imprint on the team.

While the Heat had to make a move, Boston has what it needs to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy this season.

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out as Tatum and Brown Combined for 73 Points as Celtics Topped Mavericks

Jaylen Brown's 10-Assist Triple-Double Exemplifies His Playmaking Growth: 'Keep Making the Right Play'

Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'

Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'

Ime Udoka Assesses Tatum and Brown's Growth Since Coaching Them: 'A Lot of Potential That I Haven't Tapped Into'

Jrue Holiday Responds to Celtics Saying He's Sacrificing Most: 'Not Mad at My Situation'

Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So

Derrick White Opens Up About Journey from Uncertainty He Belonged in the NBA to an All-Star Caliber Guard

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'