With former UConn star Kemba Walker heading to New England to formalize his agreement with the Boston Celtics, the Celtics will renounce the rights to point guard Terry Rozier (per Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes). Rozier, who spent four seasons in Boston after the Celtics selected him with the 16th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, will now be an unrestricted free agent.
The Celtics were previously reported to have extended a qualifying offer to Rozier to make him a restricted free agent but it’s likely that when Boston got wind of Walker’s plans, their plans changed.
Whenever Rozier’s qualifying offer is officially rescinded, expect the Phoenix Suns to be in hot pursuit of the gritty guard. The Suns are in desperate need of strong defenders and a starting point guard and Rozier has shown the ability to be both. Without having to break the bank, the Suns are a team that will have serious interest in the Shaker Heights native.
Rozier will be missed by many in the Celtics fanbase and throughout the organization. Charismatic and an enthusiastic member of Boston’s core rotation over the last two seasons, he expressed disinterest in rejoining the Celtics should he have to return as a backup point guard.
That’s a factor could also have played into Boston’s decision.
