Heat’s Wiggins, Rozier explain where they stand and what has changed for them
Like many of their Heat teammates, Andrew Wiggins and Terry Rozier ended last season ignominiously, with Rozier reeling from arguably the worst 2024-25 shooting performance of any NBA guard and Wiggins delivering a playoff clunker against Cleveland, with 11 turnovers and just 16 baskets (in 43 attempts).
Both reported to Heat headquarters in a vastly better state of mind in advance of the start of training camp on Tuesday at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.
Wiggins conceded during Media Day on Monday that “getting here in the middle of the season, trying to get situated, trying to find my spots” was challenging after he was dealt to Miami in the Feb. 6 Jimmy Butler trade with Golden State.
Beyond the cross-country move, the trade was even more disruptive because it happened just days after the birth of his son.
Making matters worse, hamstring and ankle injuries sidelined Wiggins for 16 games and limited him to 21 games after the trade, including the four-game playoff loss to Cleveland.
Though Wiggins was content in Golden State, he made clear Monday that he’s “very excited” to be with the Heat for a full season. Though Wiggins was a subject of trade speculation this summer, the Heat decided, by July, to keep him.
“I feel blessed to be here,” he said. “I feel Miami is a great city that has a great organization. I love my teammates and coaching staff. I’m preparing for a big year.”
Wiggins’ overall numbers in 17 regular-season games for the Heat weren’t bad: 19 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 45.8% shooting and 36% on threes. But he struggled around the rim and like several of his teammates, did a disappearing act in the playoffs.
Among more than 100 qualifying NBA forwards, only Jerami Grant and Patrick Williams shot worse inside five feet last season than Wiggins did for the Heat (38 for 75, 50.7%), after he shot a mediocre 57.6% from that distance for Golden State earlier this season.
Wiggins — who is earning $28.2 million this season and has a $30.2 million player option for next season — said that during this past summer, he “spent a lot of time working on different finishing… around the rim, getting back to old stuff.”
Spoelstra said he’s “very pleased” with Wiggins “heading into camp. He’s in terrific shape. He moved his family down here. His best games, not so coincidentally, were when his family visited. He wants his people around him.”
As for Rozier, he admitted Monday that an ongoing FBI gambling investigation weighed on him last season, when his shooting regressed badly and he lost his spot in the rotation. He declined to say what his attorney has told him about where that investigation stands; the NBA previously cleared him of wrongdoing.
“I feel it was tough at first,” he said of the investigation. “Nobody wants to go through issues. Right now, it’s not a factor in my mind and I can focus on playing basketball. I’m happy I got a whole reset in the offseason.”
Rozier’s 29.5% shooting on threes was second-worst in the league among qualifying players (ahead of only the Spurs’ Stephon Castle). Among more than 75 NBA point guards, only eight shot worse within five feet of the basket than Rozier, who finished at 55.2% (91 for 165).
What’s more, Rozier was one of only four NBA players who shot worse than 40% from the field and worse than 30% on threes while playing in at least 60 games.
So what happened to him last season?
“I don’t know,” he said. “I was being a human. I’m glad I can still play basketball and do what I love and ready for a turnaround this season.”
Rozier didn’t play in eight of the Heat’s final 13 regular-season games, wasn’t used in the two play-in games or the playoff opener against Cleveland, and then sprained his ankle during an optional workout practice before Game 2.
Spoelstra suggested he will get a fresh look during training camp and preseason; minutes are available with Tyler Herro sidelined at least several weeks after ankle surgery.
“Terry has been in the gym since the middle of July,” Spoelstra said. “He’s in great shape, lost 10, 12 pounds. He was playing pickup anywhere he could in Miami [this summer].”
Rozier, a career 36.1% three-point shooter, declined to say if he has made mechanical changes to his shot but said he has done “a little bit of everything” to revive his game.
“I’m ready,” he said. “It’s a matter of getting out there and showing everybody else.”
The Heat considered waiving Rozier, which would have created an additional $1.7 million of room below the tax line, but ultimately decided to bring him to camp. That remains an option because only $24.9 million of Rozier’s $26.6 million salary for this upcoming season is currently guaranteed.
This and that
Guard Dru Smith, coming off a December torn Achilles, said he has been cleared to play in preseason….
Forward Precious Achiuwa said he signed a one-year nonguaranteed deal with the Heat because he saw an opportunity in the team’s power rotation, had a familiarity with the coaching staff and system and because “the culture of the Heat fits the way I play. This is a place where my competitive spirit, my tenacity fit. I’m excited to be back.”
Here’s what Erik Spoelstra, Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell said at media day.
This story was originally published September 29, 2025 at 1:16 PM.
