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The Miami Heat are officially caught up in what looks to be the biggest scandal in NBA history. And they have everyone but themselves to blame.
Every headline points to “the Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier” being among more than 30 individuals arrested by the FBI late last week for alleged illegal gambling crimes. In reality, the Charlotte Hornets — the team Rozier played for during the time those alleged crimes transpired — should lead the way.
As the allegations are fleshed out in court in the days and weeks to come, more victim names will come to light. And none will be more prominent — or lost more money — than Micky Arison and the Heat.
Between reputations, salary, draft pick compensation, the Heat are unarguably among the biggest losers in the NBA’s mess. And all of it could have been avoided with a little common sense — or perhaps we should say with less shadiness from those involved.
Suppose there’s any justice left in this league full of draft conspiracy theories, referee scandals, and now, gambling probes. In that alternate universe, the NBA would immediately give Miami back its 2027 first-round pick and remove Rozier’s $26.6 million salary from the books. Anything less would be a continuation of the league’s long history of putting its thumb on the scales when Miami is involved, whenever it suits the NBA.
Let’s be clear: The Heat didn’t simply make a bad trade. They made a trade under false pretenses. Ten months before Rozier was traded to Miami, the NBA was alerted to suspicious betting activity involving him.
Multiple sportsbooks flagged unusual wagers on Rozier’s prop stats, prompting investigations by the NBA and the FBI.
And yet, nobody told the Heat. Not the league. Not the Hornets. Nobody.
This isn’t a case of buyer’s remorse. The Heat have made their share of awful transactions throughout their franchise history. This is a case of the league and the Hornets withholding critical information. Information that could have changed the entire course of the Heat’s last two seasons.
If we’re keeping it 100, the Heat are owed damages for pain and suffering. But we’ll settle for giving them back what they paid to have their name involved in this preventable mess.
Players getting caught in off-court controversies is one thing. But when a player’s off-the-court personal issues have a direct impact on the outcomes of NBA games, maybe mention that in trade talks. Maybe send out a memo to all teams and alerting them to the investigation.
The league’s failure to notify a trading partner about an active investigation of that nature is negligent. We’re no lawyers, but it feels like it might even be grounds for a lawsuit. Miami had a right to know.
The remedy is simple: Return Miami’s first-round pick. Void Rozier’s contract. Do both, and maybe the NBA can begin to repair the trust it has shattered.
Fail to act, and the Heat have every right to make life hell for the league office. And if there is one thing Adam Silver doesn’t need right now, it’s enemies from within.
The ball is in the NBA’s court. Do the right thing.
The Miami Heat didn’t deserve any of this, and they certainly shouldn’t be the biggest victim of them all.
