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The Boston Celtics will renounce the rights to Terry Rozier, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Boston will renounce the rights to guard Terry Rozier – to open up a max slot for Kemba Walker – and he’ll become an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 29, 2019
This development was a formality in wake of Kemba Walker and the Celtics reportedly having already agreed to a four-year, $190 million contract, a deal that was contingent on Boston clearing a significant amount of cap space.
Rozier was one of Boston's most disappointing players in 2018-19, failing to build on the momentum he established as a starter during last year's playoffs. He averaged 9.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, shooting 38.7 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from three-point range – all worse than a season ago. That decrease in raw numbers is explained by Rozier getting a few minutes fewer per game and a dip in usage. The problem is that he didn't get the bounce in efficiency normally associated with such a role switch, instead reverting back toward poor shooting norms established over the first two seasons of his career.
At 25, Rozier has room to improve, and his justification for an underwhelming 2018-19 campaign, a major sacrifice in playing time and touches, actually does hold weight. But he's always been more limited than his performance in the 2018 postseason made it seem – not just as a shooter, but also an overall playmaker. It's unclear Rozier has the tools and feel to be a full-time starting point guard, and his athletic gifts will no doubt continue to overstate his effectiveness on defense.
Regardless, don't be surprised if he garners a three-year deal worth over $30 million in free agency. Rozier has just enough potential left to be intriguing as part of a team's long-term core; there's just no guarantee he fulfills it.
