Terry Rozier on track to be healthy for new NBA season

Terry Rozier joined the Miami Heat in January as Pat Riley looked to provide Erik Spoelstra with an additional ball-handler and scoring threat.

Rozier's style of play projected to plug a genuine gap within the Heat's rotation. Unfortunately, the veteran guard never found his rhythm due to a string of injuries. He was shut down before the playoffs due to neck spasms that required a neck brace.

During a recent interview with Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel , Rozier provided an update on his recovery and his current status in terms of basketball activities. The veteran guard noted how he hasn't been cleared for full five-on-five yet, but has been participating in three-on-three among other drills.

“I would say not totally fully, fully, fully cleared playing five-on-five,” Rozier said. “But I am doing every on-court activity, playing a little bit three-on-three. But I figure in the next couple of weeks I’ll be graduating to five-on-five...I’ve been trying to get back right ever since the season ended. So that required doing little stuff, like if I couldn’t run yet, I was doing bike riding or incline walking and stuff like that. So my condition is pretty good.”

Miami has failed to strengthen its roster this summer. The loss of Caleb Martin could mean Spoelstra's team enters the new season with less depth than it had during the last campaign. As such, a healthy Rozier is integral to the franchise's chances of success.

If Rozier can remain on the court and build chemistry with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, the Heat will have enough top-end talent to compete for a mid-conference seeding at the end of the season. However, if Rozier, or any other top-end rotation player, cannot stay healthy throughout the season, Spoelstra's team may be forced to settle for a play-in tournament spot.

As such, Miami's coaching staff will likely take a cautious approach to training camp and preseason, ensuring that the roster is ready for when the new season begins. Nevertheless, Riley and the rest of Miami's front office may be best served by looking to add additional talent and depth ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.