Hornets trade Terry Rozier to Heat for Kyle Lowry, first-round pick

The Miami Heat have acquired guard Terry Rozier in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for guard Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round pick, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Rozier, 29, is averaging a career-best 23.2 points this season along with 6.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds through 30 games this season. So far, the 37-year-old Lowry, a 2019 NBA champion, has put up 8.2 points, 4 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game through 37 games.

The move gives Miami (24-19, sixth in the East) a significant upgrade at the point-guard position with a player in his prime in Rozier. Lowry was moved to the bench for the past two games in favor of Caleb Martin as his age has caught up to him and led to a decline in his quality of play.

According to Wojnarowski, the 2027 first-round pick is lottery-protected in 2027 and becomes unprotected if it conveys through 2028.

The Hornets, under new ownership (Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin) in the post-Michael Jordan era, are starting to make moves and embrace a full rebuild around young star LaMelo Ball and 2023 first-round selection Brandon Miller.

With Charlotte planning to continue accumulating future assets, notable veterans Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges and PJ Washington are names to monitor as the NBA's Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches.