Former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is asking a judge to loosen his bond conditions, arguing the current restrictions are blocking his path back to the NBA. Rozier was arrested by the FBI in October and faces federal charges tied to what authorities have described as a wide-ranging illegal gambling operation.
Bond Restrictions and Free Agency
As part of his bond agreement, Rozier is currently prohibited from having any contact with the Charlotte Hornets—the franchise where he spent five seasons from 2019 to 2024. His attorney, Jim Trusty, filed paperwork with The Athletic noting that the restriction unfairly punishes a client who has pleaded not guilty and remains entitled to a presumption of innocence.
The numbers are doing most of the announcement work here, which is usually how teams prefer it.
"With the NBA's free agency process officially beginning June 30, maintaining the Hornets on the no-contact list would likely prevent him from having any opportunity to play in the NBA," Trusty wrote. Under the current ruling of the arbitrator, an inability to play for or against the Charlotte Hornets would constitute a failure to perform services by Mr. Rozier and substantially diminish or eliminate any chance of being contracted by an NBA team.
The bond also restricts travel across the country, a condition the league previously argued amounted to a breach of contract.
Arbitration Rulings and Salary Impact
Rozier was placed on leave by the NBA following his October arrest. An arbitrator initially ruled the league could not withhold his $26.6 million salary for the 2025-26 season. However, after the NBA argue that the bond conditions themselves constituted a contractual violation, a second arbitration hearing this year went the league's way—even though Rozier and the National Basketball Players Association protested the decision.
He will now forfeit the majority of his salary from last season.
Rozier, 32, is due back in court in Brooklyn, New York, on June 10. He averaged 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game this season while shooting 39.1% from the floor.