It’s been a tenuous three-year career for Dru Smith after being undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft.
You couldn’t count on one hand how many times the 6-foot-3 guard has been waived by the Heat, only to be brought back. He’s also, unfortunately, dealt with plenty of injuries, limiting him to just 38 games in three seasons.
He tore his ACL in November of 2023 because he slipped on an elevated Cavaliers court before rupturing his achilles last December, when he was playing the best (and most efficient) basketball of his life on both ends.
Smith, 27, remains an unrestricted free agent after being offered the two-way qualifying offer. But a years of service nuance in the CBA prohibits him from signing a two-way contract with the Heat, thus only allowing him to sign a standard if he wants to return to Miami.
While it would be a remarkable comeback story, here’s why the Heat should look in a different direction.
Miami Heat should not bring back Dru Smith on standard contract:
In 14 games last season, Smith averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals. He shot 50.8 percent from the floor and went 16-of-30 from deep. On a per-75 possession basis, those numbers average out to 12.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.9 steals.
We’re dealing with a very small sample, but he inarguably providing amicable two-way impact that few expected him to supply.
However, the Heat only have one available roster spot and every dollar counts in today’s NBA. How teams allocate every dollar is important, and I don’t think it would be wise for the Heat — barring additional moves — to continue to invest in a guard who’s dealt with two consecutive soft-tissue injuries.
Miami only has one roster spot available and are already nearly $2 million into the luxury tax. Using a standard spot on Smith adds $2.3 million, so it’s a cheap cost. But there’s no guarantee that there’s any runway for a role role alongside Kasparas Jakucionis, Davion Mitchell, Pelle Larsson, Tyler Herro and Norman Powell. Smith is a complementary fit, but there a more pressing needs for the Heat to address (backup center).
It would be different if the Missouri alum was still able to sign a two-way. But going deeper into the tax for a guard who lacks burst and will be compromised laterally isn’t an easy sell.
While Smith is a great person and an improved player, at this point, it may be best for the Heat to leave that roster spot open heading into training camp — which is less than two months away.
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I like Dru but this is not the time to give him an NBA contract. Unfortunately, he is getting up there in age (27) and is not eligible for a two-way contract with the Heat. If Miami opens up an extra spot maybe. However, for the time being, they need to keep an open spot for a big and/or another scorer.