The 2024 NBA trade deadline is a couple of weeks away, but we’ve already seen some deals coming long before it.
This time, we’ve got a veteran point guard swap, with one contender looking to upgrade and the other looking to tank a bit — the Miami Heat (with rumors swirling that they were thinking about moving Kyle Lowry) and the Charlotte Hornets made a deal on Tuesday involving Terry Rozier. Without spoiling too much, this one makes sense for both of the franchises involved.
As usual, we’re grading the deal. Who won and lost? Let’s break it all down for both sides.
The trade details
Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
Hornets get: Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round pick (with protections)
Heat get: Terry Rozier
Miami Heat
It was clear from last year’s Finals and this year that Father Time had finally caught up with Lowry, so the Heat rightfully sent him to the bench, which may not have made him happy.
But it was also clear that Lowry’s expiring deal would be intriguing to rebuilding teams and that the Heat needed some guard help. Enter Rozier, who continues to score at a terrific clip — a career-high 23.2 ppg this year. And although that number may dip a bit on a more balanced Heat roster, he’s going to be exactly what they need if they want to keep up in the very competitive East.
GRADE: A-
Charlotte Hornets
If this is the beginning of a full tear-down for the Hornets? Great. They need to build around LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, so every trade counts.
And Lowry may not be done being on the move:
The Hornets have no immediate plans to work on a buyout with Lowry and are expected to see if they can work another trade for him before the February 8 deadline, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 23, 2024
Smart. Getting a first-rounder — even if there are protections — is also smart, and whatever they end up getting for Lowry will add to the pile. Could they have gotten more for Rozier? Maybe? But Rozier is going to earn over $50 million in the next couple of years, which doesn’t help his trade value.
So, good job, Hornets.
GRADE: B+
