@HeatvsHaters
The Miami Heat made a big splash Tuesday morning, trading for guard Terry Rozier in a move to keep up with the other championship-contending teams in the NBA. The 29-year-old guard, who previously played his first five seasons with the Boston Celtics before joining the Hornets in 2019, is currently averaging 23 points, 6.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and a steal a game on 46% shooting this season.
The 9th year guard brings another prolific scoring threat to the 26th-ranked offense in the NBA this season. In exchange for Rozier, Miami is sending over 18-year veteran guard Kyle Lowry to the Charlotte Hornets. The aging championship point guard is averaging his lowest numbers in 14 seasons. Lowry only produced 8.2 points, 4.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals on 43% shooting in his 3rd season with the team. Lowry will likely be bought out of his contract and play a minimal veteran role for a contender later this season.
Fantasy Basketball Impact: Winners and Losers
Miami Heat
Terry Rozier - Loser
Terry Rozier is currently the 39th ranked player in H2H category leagues this season, but he was only ranked 125th within the last week with the return of all-star Lamelo Ball. Rozier's usage will take a hit, playing alongside Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo.
Rozier will probably finish towards the end of the top 100 rankings to close out the season. Rozier should have been a sell high before Ball came back from injury, but if you can, trade him for anyone in the top 50 I would do so.
Jaime Jaquez Jr - Loser
Jaime Jaquez Jr is currently ranked 107th this season, putting up big numbers in his first year. Jaquez is currently averaging 14 points, 2.7 assists, and 3.9 rebounds on 50% shooting in his rookie campaign. With the incoming Rozier, Jaquez will surely lose shot attempts, and his playtime will be shortened now that Miami is gaining their full roster back. I see Jaquez finishing at the latter end of the top 200 hundred with the usage drop.
Duncan Robinson -Loser
Duncan Robinson has averaged 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, three assists, and 3 three threes a game on 46% shooting. Robinson is the 133rd-ranked player in category leagues this season, but with the return of Jimmy Butler last week, Robinson fell almost 40 spots in the ranking with the usage drop. With the incoming Rozier, Robinson's attempts will even be more scarce, and I can see him closing the season outside the top 200 in category leagues.
Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo - Neutral
All three will take a slight dip in usage, but nothing too significant to change their rankings this season.
Charlotte Hornets
Brandon Miller - Winner
Brandon Miller is the 159th player overall in category leagues this season, averaging 15 points, four rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 stocks two threes on 43% shooting. Over the last week, Miller has been on a hot streak, jumping all the way to the 20th-ranked player for the week.
With Rozier gone, Miller will see an increase in shot attempts and usage as the Hornets look to develop their younger talent with one of the worst records in the NBA. Miller could finish in the top 60 in category leagues with the opportunity he’ll have to finish off the season.
Nick Smith - Winner
Nick Smith is more of a deeper league stash for now. Smith has seen steady minutes as the backup point guard for the Hornets, and with the departure of Rozier, he might see a slight increase in minutes and opportunity off the bench. If and when Charlotte decides to buy out Kyle Lowry, Smith will have a steady role for the Hornets. For leagues that go all the way to the end of the NBA season, Smith could be one of those “out of nowhere league winners” for fantasy playoffs if Charlotte decides to end Lamelo Ball’s season early.
Cody Martin, PJ Washington - Winners
Cody Martin and PJ Washington should also see more shot attempts per game after the trade, giving them a slight boost in their rankings.
