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Arbitrator Orders Heat to Pay Terry Rozier $26.6 Million Despite Gambling Case

The decision applies CBA language that bars unpaid leave except in limited abuse cases.

Overview

  • Rozier’s pay, held in an interest‑bearing escrow account since December, will be released, with his full $26.6 million still counting on Miami’s cap.
  • Rozier remains on administrative leave and ineligible to play as the federal case proceeds, according to the league’s stance reported by multiple outlets.
  • The ruling clarifies Miami’s cap accounting and could make Rozier’s expiring deal usable in trade talks near Thursday’s deadline, though the NBA has not publicly detailed how a trade involving him would be processed.
  • Miami guaranteed Rozier’s 2025–26 salary in early January to preserve flexibility, a move that now positions the contract as potential matching salary for teams seeking expiring money.
  • Rozier has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies; his lawyers moved to dismiss the case, a government response is pending, and prosecutors allege he tipped an associate before a March 23, 2023 game that led to more than $200,000 in under bets.