Why the Heat’s Decision to Re-Sign Dru Smith Is a Genius Move
It’s not every day an NBA team doubles down on a player who has spent more time in the training room than on the court. That’s exactly what Miami did when they locked in guard Dru Smith to a new three-year deal this August. On paper, his track record looks fragile with two major season-ending injuries in back-to-back years and fewer than 40 career games played.
To understand why this move is smarter than it first appears, you have to look at what Smith showed before his injuries, how the contract fits into Miami’s bigger picture, and why betting on him now might just turn out to be one of the team’s best offseason plays.
Betting On Resilience
Dru Smith’s path to this deal has been anything but smooth. After going undrafted out of Missouri in 2021, he bounced between Miami and its G League affiliate before signing a short stint with Brooklyn. Injuries soon took over his story.
A knee issue cut short his 2023-24 season, and a torn Achilles in December 2024 wiped out most of last year. Few players could survive that stretch of bad luck, yet Smith kept grinding through rehab while Miami kept him in the fold.
The glimpse he gave the Heat before that Achilles tear is particularly intriguing. In just 14 games last season, he averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 steals, while shooting a blistering 53.3 percent from deep.
More importantly, he proved he could anchor possessions defensively, even holding entire fourth-quarter minutes in several tight games. That was enough to convince the Heat that Smith is worth the patience.
A Contract That Fits The Plan
Money always tells part of the story, and this deal is no different. Smith’s contract is worth $7.9 million over three years, with his first year fully guaranteed at about $2.4 million.
Compared to Haywood Highsmith’s $5.6 million salary, which Miami shipped out to Brooklyn to create room, Smith’s deal gives the team flexibility and savings under the luxury tax line.
This isn’t just about saving money, though. Miami now has another dependable guard on a reasonable contract, which keeps their depth intact while maintaining cap flexibility for future moves. It’s a smart way to reward a player they’ve invested in without overcommitting long-term, and it positions Smith as a low-risk, high-upside piece in the rotation.
Defensive Edge And Heat Culture
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Erik Drost
The Heat have long valued defense-first players, and Smith fits that mold perfectly. During his short run last season, Miami’s lineups with him on the floor allowed significantly fewer points per possession, thus ranking him among the league’s better perimeter defenders in that stretch.
His energy at the point of attack, combined with efficient three-point shooting, made him a natural fit for Erik Spoelstra’s system. Plus, his story mirrors Miami’s identity.
The Heat have built a reputation for spotting overlooked talent, developing it, and sticking by players who show toughness and grit. Smith embodies that philosophy. He’s been waived and brought back multiple times, battled through injuries that could have ended his career, and still earned a standard multi-year deal. In many ways, he is the latest poster child for “Heat Culture.”
What Comes Next
Of course, Smith still has plenty to prove. With guards like Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Davion Mitchell, and Terry Rozier ahead of him, minutes won’t come easily. He’ll also need to show that his body can hold up through an 82-game season, something that hasn’t been possible yet in his career.
But Miami isn’t betting on him to be a star right away. They’re betting on his ability to bring defensive intensity, hit shots, and grow into a role that complements their core.
If he returns to form, Miami could have one of the best bargain contracts in the league. If he struggles, the financial risk is minimal, and the Heat can still move forward with depth intact. Either way, the decision makes sense.