Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN January 23, 2024, 10:24 a.m. ET
The Miami Heat are acquiring Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier for guard Kyle Lowry and a protected 2027 first-round pick, sources told ESPN on Tuesday morning.
The deal gives the Heat a talented scoring guard who is having one of his best NBA seasons, averaging 23.2 points and 6.6 assists per game.
The Hornets (10-31) — who will begin amassing future assets ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline — will receive a lottery-protected pick in 2027 that will become unprotected in 2028, sources said.
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Charlotte is discussing additional deals with its veteran players before the trade deadline and plans to continue accumulating assets, sources told ESPN.
The Hornets will work to move the 37-year-old Lowry to another team before the deadline, but if they can't find a deal for him and his expiring $29.6 million contract, he could end up being a candidate for one The contract will be purchased, sources said.
The Heat will save $15.4 million in luxury tax on the trade and create a $6.4 million trade exception.
Under new owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, the Hornets plan to look after young players LaMelo Ball and rookie Brandon Miller and acquire draft assets and young players in potential deals.
With the Heat at 24-19 and in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, the 29-year-old Rozier gives them a more dynamic guard game and hopes he can help them get back to the playoffs this year and beyond Eastern Conference to come.
ESPN's Bobby Marks contributed to this report.