NBA will look into granting relief to Miami Heat over Terry Rozier, commissioner says
LAS VEGAS — The NBA is formally reviewing potential avenues to provide salary cap relief to the Miami Heat as the franchise remains in roster purgatory regarding the status of guard Terry Rozier. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the NBA Cup final on Tuesday, Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the complexity of the situation, labeling it "unprecedented" while confirming the league is exploring "satisfactory relief" for the organization.
The Heat have been effectively paralyzed by Rozier’s $26.6 million salary, which continues to count against their salary cap despite the veteran guard being placed on unpaid administrative leave in October following federal charges. Rozier pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges stemming from allegations that he manipulated his participation in a March 2023 game while a member of the Charlotte Hornets to facilitate illicit sports betting.
"There is no doubt at the moment they have a player that can't perform services for them," Silver said, addressing the media in Las Vegas. "This is an unprecedented situation. It's a multi-layered issue for the league and the Heat... sometimes there are these unique events and maybe sometimes they require a unique solution."
The crux of the issue for Miami is that standard roster relief mechanisms, such as the Disabled Player Exception, are designed for medical incapacitation, not legal unavailability. With Rozier’s contract occupying roughly 17% of the Heat’s cap space, the team has been unable to maneuver in the trade market or sign significant replacements. Furthermore, the Heat remain on the hook for a future first-round pick owed to Charlotte—the very trade cost used to acquire Rozier in early 2024, months before the federal investigation became public knowledge.
Silver cautioned that while the league is sympathetic to Miami's plight—noting the team was unaware of the investigation at the time of the trade—there is "no obvious solution" currently available within the collective bargaining agreement. With Rozier not expected back in court until March 2026, the Heat face the prospect of a wasted season of financial flexibility unless the league office intervenes with a special exemption to decouple his salary from their books.
The Heat have been effectively paralyzed by Rozier’s $26.6 million salary, which continues to count against their salary cap despite the veteran guard being placed on unpaid administrative leave in October following federal charges. Rozier pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges stemming from allegations that he manipulated his participation in a March 2023 game while a member of the Charlotte Hornets to facilitate illicit sports betting.
"There is no doubt at the moment they have a player that can't perform services for them," Silver said, addressing the media in Las Vegas. "This is an unprecedented situation. It's a multi-layered issue for the league and the Heat... sometimes there are these unique events and maybe sometimes they require a unique solution."
The crux of the issue for Miami is that standard roster relief mechanisms, such as the Disabled Player Exception, are designed for medical incapacitation, not legal unavailability. With Rozier’s contract occupying roughly 17% of the Heat’s cap space, the team has been unable to maneuver in the trade market or sign significant replacements. Furthermore, the Heat remain on the hook for a future first-round pick owed to Charlotte—the very trade cost used to acquire Rozier in early 2024, months before the federal investigation became public knowledge.
Silver cautioned that while the league is sympathetic to Miami's plight—noting the team was unaware of the investigation at the time of the trade—there is "no obvious solution" currently available within the collective bargaining agreement. With Rozier not expected back in court until March 2026, the Heat face the prospect of a wasted season of financial flexibility unless the league office intervenes with a special exemption to decouple his salary from their books.
