The Los Angeles Lakers secured a playoff spot before their regular-season finale, compelling them to rest their starters on Sunday.
The Lakers lost by 28 points to the Portland Trail Blazers, but they have plenty to look forward to for the rest of the month.
While it isn’t a priority in mid-April, it’s normal to begin identifying assets the Lake Show could acquire in free agency to keep the franchise stable.
A Miami Heat under federal investigation may be an under-the-radar trade target for Los Angeles in free agency.
On Jan. 30, Terry Rozier discovered he was being investigated for his potential role in a sports betting scheme.
“Unusual betting patterns surrounding the play of then-Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier in a game nearly two years ago are now under investigation by federal prosecutors, part of the same probe that led to the lifetime ban of Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, the NBA confirmed Thursday,” ESPN News Services wrote on Jan. 30.
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“The Wall Street Journal first reported the investigation, noting that Rozier, who played for the Hornets at that time and now plays for the Miami Heat, has neither been charged with a crime nor has he been accused of wrongdoing.”
“The game involving Rozier that is in question was played Mar. 23, 2023, a matchup between the Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. Rozier played the first 9 minutes, 36 seconds of that game — and not only did he not return that night, citing a foot issue, but he did not play again that season.”
With the investigation ongoing, little can be said on the subject now.
However, with Rozier unaffected by the drama and getting a chance to finish the year with the Heat, there’s a chance the Louisville product will be good to go in the foreseeable future.
On the hardwood, Rozier has struggled to play impactful basketball for the Jimmy Butler-less Heat. Rozier’s shot selection and decision-making resulted in a subpar regular season.
Rozier averaged 10.7 points per contest, shooting 39.5% from the field and 29.9% from three in 63 contests.
Still, with the Heat earning the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference and a Play-In tournament invitation, Rozier will receive an opportunity to redeem himself when it matters most.
Two seasons ago, Rozier averaged 23.2 points per game on respectable shooting splits with the Hornets.
He was an efficient 18+ points per game scorer during most of his 4.5-year tenure with Charlotte, proving he’s capable of being a high-level offensive threat in the big leagues.
With the Lakers, Rozier would be required to embrace a reserve role, which would give the Lakers a valuable second-unit scoring option.
If Los Angeles wants to give the undersized shooting guard a shot in free agency, it could consider crafting a trade package headlined by Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Rob Pelinka and the Lakers could soon pursue Rozier.
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