- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,196,236
- Reaction score
- 59
MIAMI — In the wake of sending out guards Tyler Herro and Kasparas Jakucionis in Monday’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Miami Heat made the logical follow-up by guaranteeing next season’s salary for point guard Dru Smith.
The Heat had a Sunday 11:59 p.m. deadline for the decision, with Smith otherwise to have become a free agent at Tuesday’s 6 p.m. start to NBA free agency.
Not only is Smith’s $2.6 million salary now on the Heat’s 2026-27 books, but the Heat also hold a team option on Smith at $2.9 million for 2027-28.
Returning from a series of injuries, Smith, 28, appeared in 70 games last season, offering depth in the team’s backcourt and the ability to pester opposing point guards. He tied Pelle Larsson last season for charges taken, with 12.
The Heat twice have stood by Smith as he has recovered from major injuries, suffering a season-ending right ACL injury at Cleveland on Nov. 22, 2023 and then a season-ending left Achilles injury vs. Brooklyn on Dec, 23, 2024.
“So I was happy to just be healthy, to be able to have some good stretches there off the bench,” Smith said during his season-ending interview. “And I’m just looking forward to having a summer where I can be more focused on basketball and rehab.”
A summer that now will follow under guaranteed contract.
“He’s kind of a glue that fits,” coach Erik Spoelstra has said. “He can make any unit work.”
Depending on upcoming Heat personnel moves, Smith could open next season as the Heat’s backup point guard to Davion Mitchell, or further down the rotation behind a newcomer.
Either way, he previously has said he remains willing whenever or however called.
“I think I just go into the games just trying to stay ready,” Smith said. “And whatever minutes come my way, then I just try to make the most of them. So not really thinking too much about that, just while I’m out there trying to impact the game.”
The offseason focus, Smith said, will be on the offensive end.
“Want to shoot the ball more consistently,” he said, “just things like that, shoot the ball more consistently, maybe with a little bit deeper range, a little bit quicker also, just different things that are going to help me on the offensive end.”
Spoelstra consistently has praised the resolve of Smith, who went undrafted out of Missouri in 2021.
“What he has is a superpower,” Spoelstra said this past season. “I wish you could take some of that, and just apply it to other players. When I say superpowers, it’s a level of grit, a level of fortitude, perseverance. However you want to describe it, he has no quit in him.
“He’s just absolutely relentless with his approach every day. He does not get discouraged. I’m sure he does, he just never shows anybody. But that’s the attitude, the mindset, that’s allowed him to fast-track the process.”
Continue reading...
The Heat had a Sunday 11:59 p.m. deadline for the decision, with Smith otherwise to have become a free agent at Tuesday’s 6 p.m. start to NBA free agency.
Not only is Smith’s $2.6 million salary now on the Heat’s 2026-27 books, but the Heat also hold a team option on Smith at $2.9 million for 2027-28.
Returning from a series of injuries, Smith, 28, appeared in 70 games last season, offering depth in the team’s backcourt and the ability to pester opposing point guards. He tied Pelle Larsson last season for charges taken, with 12.
The Heat twice have stood by Smith as he has recovered from major injuries, suffering a season-ending right ACL injury at Cleveland on Nov. 22, 2023 and then a season-ending left Achilles injury vs. Brooklyn on Dec, 23, 2024.
“So I was happy to just be healthy, to be able to have some good stretches there off the bench,” Smith said during his season-ending interview. “And I’m just looking forward to having a summer where I can be more focused on basketball and rehab.”
A summer that now will follow under guaranteed contract.
“He’s kind of a glue that fits,” coach Erik Spoelstra has said. “He can make any unit work.”
Depending on upcoming Heat personnel moves, Smith could open next season as the Heat’s backup point guard to Davion Mitchell, or further down the rotation behind a newcomer.
Either way, he previously has said he remains willing whenever or however called.
“I think I just go into the games just trying to stay ready,” Smith said. “And whatever minutes come my way, then I just try to make the most of them. So not really thinking too much about that, just while I’m out there trying to impact the game.”
The offseason focus, Smith said, will be on the offensive end.
Related Articles
- ASK IRA: Was Giannis trade a case of Heat giving up on Kel’el Ware?
- Bobby Portis more than throw-in Part B of Heat’s Antetokounmpo deal
- ASK IRA: Could a LeBron reunion with Heat be as simple as a Wiggins sign-and-trade?
- Heat extend two-way qualifying offer to Goldin, bypass similar move with Keels
- Ira Winderman: Hmm, so Heat had too little and gave away too much for Giannis?
“Want to shoot the ball more consistently,” he said, “just things like that, shoot the ball more consistently, maybe with a little bit deeper range, a little bit quicker also, just different things that are going to help me on the offensive end.”
Spoelstra consistently has praised the resolve of Smith, who went undrafted out of Missouri in 2021.
“What he has is a superpower,” Spoelstra said this past season. “I wish you could take some of that, and just apply it to other players. When I say superpowers, it’s a level of grit, a level of fortitude, perseverance. However you want to describe it, he has no quit in him.
“He’s just absolutely relentless with his approach every day. He does not get discouraged. I’m sure he does, he just never shows anybody. But that’s the attitude, the mindset, that’s allowed him to fast-track the process.”
Continue reading...
