Overview
- Miami declined to waive Rozier by the Jan. 7 deadline, guaranteeing the remaining $1.7 million on his deal and keeping the full $26.6 million on the salary cap.
- Rozier remains on league leave with his pay withheld in an interest‑bearing account, and the NBPA has taken the matter to arbitration with a ruling expected later this month.
- Keeping the contract preserves the option to include his expiring salary in a trade before the Feb. 5 deadline, though the NBA has not given definitive guidance on such a move.
- Commissioner Adam Silver has called the case unprecedented and expressed willingness to work with the Heat, while noting there is no obvious solution at present.
- Rozier has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges, is free on $3 million bond, has a motion to dismiss pending, and is due back in court in March; Miami acquired him from Charlotte in 2024 and could seek league relief related to the owed 2027 first‑round pick.