In a move that showcases their faith in his potential, the Miami Heat have decided to keep guard Dru Smith on the roster, allowing his $2.58 million salary for the 2026/27 season to become fully guaranteed. This decision, confirmed by a league source, underscores the Heat's belief in Smith's contributions, especially on the defensive end.
Smith, who has been a part of Miami's system for several years, has shown resilience and determination, bouncing back from significant injuries-a torn ACL in 2023 and a torn Achilles in 2024. His hard work paid off as he was healthy for the start of the 2025/26 season, during which he made a career-high 70 appearances.
Over those games, Smith averaged 5.6 points, 2.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and an impressive 1.4 steals in just 16.3 minutes per game. While his shooting percentages, 41.5% from the floor and 29.5% from beyond the arc, suggest room for improvement offensively, his defensive prowess is undeniable.
Smith's defensive skills are highlighted by his league-leading 3.2 steals per 36 minutes among players who appeared in at least 50 games last season. This knack for disrupting opponents' offenses makes him a valuable asset for the Heat, particularly in a league where perimeter defense is increasingly crucial.
Looking ahead, Smith's contract includes a $2.93 million team option for the 2027/28 season. If he continues to develop and contribute throughout the upcoming season, the Heat will face another decision next summer regarding his future with the team. For now, Smith remains an integral part of Miami's plans, offering a blend of defensive tenacity and potential for growth that the Heat clearly value.
In Other News...
Heat Just Got Linked To A Familiar Reclamation Swing Around Giannis
Lonnie Walkers name is back in the NBA conversation after a season overseas, and that naturally puts the Heat on the fringe of the discussion. Miami has been hunting for backcourt shooting, and Walker fits the kind of low-cost, high-upside lane the team has not been afraid to explore in the past. He has already logged time with multiple NBA teams, and his stint in the EuroLeague only adds to the sense that he is the sort of player who might benefit from a fresh start.
For Miami, the appeal is obvious enough. Walker has the kind of familiarity with the league that can make a reclamation swing feel less risky, and the Heat also have a track record of squeezing value out of players other clubs have moved on from. If the door opens, this would not just be about adding another guard, but about seeing whether the right environment can still unlock a productive version of a player whose career has already taken a few turns. [Read more 🡒]
Former Heat Scorer Suddenly Linked To A Team No One Expected
One of the more interesting Heat-adjacent names to surface this week is Norman Powell, whose next stop could come in a place not many would have circled just a few months ago. The 33-year-old guard remains a proven scorer and a dangerous perimeter threat, which is part of why his market is drawing attention as Chicago lines up with more than $30 million in cap space and a clear need for shooting before the 2026-27 season.
What makes the Bulls' interest more complicated is the fit. Powell would bring immediate offense, but a long-term commitment would force Chicago to weigh age, role and flexibility against the appeal of adding a ready-made bucket getter. For a rebuilding team trying to stay disciplined with its books, that is the kind of decision that can look simple on the surface and get a lot murkier once the contract conversation really starts. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets Fans Wont Like Where The Jaylen Brown Buzz Is Heading
The Jaylen Brown chatter that has hovered around Denver is trending away from becoming a Nuggets reality, at least for now. Sources say a Brown-to-Denver deal is highly unlikely because the Nuggets do not have the draft assets to make it work, even as Brown has drawn interest from several teams around the league and Cameron Johnson looks increasingly likely to be moved soon.
Miami is among the teams keeping tabs on Johnson, which gives the Heat another front-office lane to monitor as the market shifts around Denvers roster. The Celtics have also had past interest in Aaron Gordon, but the kind of three-player framework that would tie Gordon, Johnson and Brown together does not line up cleanly on payroll or fit, leaving plenty of talk and not much of a clear path just yet. [Read more 🡒]