After spending the latter half of last year with their G-League team, the Miami Heat are expected to sign veteran guard Dennis Smith Jr. to an Exhibit 10 contract, NBA insider Chris Haynes was among the first to report Sunday.
Smith played 21 games with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Miami Heat’s G-League affiliate, last season. He averaged 8.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. He shot 39.8 percent from the floor, 29.2 percent from 3-point range and 53.8 percent from the free-throw line across 25.6 minutes per game.
I would venture to guess the veteran guard will likely be sent back down to the G-League by the end of the preseason, barring a completely dominant preseason. The Heat have also inked deals to Ian Scheffelin, Ezra Ausar, J’Vonne Hadley and Bez Mbeng to camp deals in recent days.
Smith, a former top-10 pick, has played seven NBA seasons with six different organizations, excluding the Heat. He last appeared in an NBA game with the Nets in 2023-24. He has also spent time with the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers and Detroit Pistons.
***
This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates!
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Check out Hot Hot Hoops on Facebook here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
- Heat release initial injury report for opener v. Timberwolves
- How Heat’s rotation should look on opening night v. Timberwolves
- Heat release 4 players, finalize roster ahead of opening night
- 5 preseason takeaways from Heat after finale v. Magic
- PRESEASON GAMETHREAD: Miami Heat (3-1) v. Orlando Magic (2-1)
Great pickup.
I saw this dude play a handful of games for the Blazers a couple seasons ago. He can ball. I would describe him as the offense version of Dru Smith. One of those under the radar pickups that will have us talking about the surprising depth on this roster come November.
This is the most excited I’ve been for a Heat season since they were the Defending Conference Champs a few seasons ago
A lot of moving parts with a lot of potential as a team. Now it’s up to Spo and the players to make everything fit. This can be a fun season if it all clicks and 3+4 players step up their games.
I just saw another projected Eastern Conference rankings for 2026-2027. This one has Miami at #9! WTF? Like Rodney Dangerfield. Heat can’t get any respect. That will change. This defense is going to keep several opponents to under 100 points.
east loaded potato could go down to 8th ny phily clearly better bost tor det ind close orl atl little below
Good move, can never have enough defense in today’s NBA and he is a Heat type player
Rather sign someone with more potential, like Nembhard.
Yup. If you are going to explore options, do it with younger players with higher potential upsides or an established player who may be able to compete for a rotation spot. Smith has been out of the NBA since 2023-2024 for a reason.
I wouldn’t have hated Nembard or Whitemore. But they are building to try and win now, and Dennis Smith can be a defensive stopper, even if the offensive game isn’t there.
I sincerely doubt Smith sees any time with the Heat. He was not very impressive with the SkyForce last season and I suspect that’s where he will spend this season.
Yup. Nothing to get excited about.
Can’t ever have too many Smiths…or Johnsons.