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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto by Carmen Mandato\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Dru Smith, Miami Heat<\/p>\n
The Miami Heat<\/a> have signed Dru Smith<\/a> to a 3-year, $7.9 million contract. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported the addition via X.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Miami Heat and Dru Smith have agreed to a 3-year, $7.9 million deal, league sources told @hoopshype,\u201d Scotto wrote. \u201cSmith averaged 6.2 points on 51% shooting and 53% from 3-point range with 1.5 steals in 14 games last season. Agents Aaron Reilly and Reggie Berry finalized the deal.\u201d<\/p>\n Just In: The Miami Heat and Dru Smith have agreed to a 3-year, $7.9 million deal, league sources told @hoopshype<\/a>. Smith averaged 6.2 points on 51% shooting and 53% from 3-point range with 1.5 steals in 14 games last season. Agents Aaron Reilly and Reggie Berry finalized the deal. pic.twitter.com\/bkGxdKzZx7<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \u2014 Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Smith, 27, spent last season with the Heat, and clearly did enough to earn himself a larger role within the rotation for the upcoming season. He will provide a scoring spark off the bench. Erik Spoelstra will likely be hoping that Smith is the latest diamond in the rough to come via the Heat\u2019s talent development system.<\/p>\n Furthermore, Smith may find himself with a bigger-than-expected role as Terry Rozier<\/a> continues to deal with off-court issues. The veteran guard has also struggled to make an impact for the Heat and is unlikely to feature in the rotation next season. Smith will undoubtedly want to capitalize on that opportunity.<\/p>\n Heat\u2019s Haywood Highsmith Decision Pays Dividends<\/p>\n On Friday, August 15, the Heat traded Haywood Highsmith<\/a> and a 2031 second-round pick to the\u00a0Brooklyn Nets<\/a>. Miami took back a 2026 second-round draft pick as part of the deal.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Miami Heat have traded Haywood Highsmith and a 2032 second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for a protected 2026 second-round pick, sources tell ESPN,\u201d Shams Charania reported.<\/a> \u201cBrooklyn has remained active in trade conversations as the league\u2019s only team with remaining significant cap space, and takes Highsmith in with an unprotected second-rounder. Nets have also acquired two 1sts this offseason to add to the most 1st and 2nd round picks in the league. Heat shed Highsmith\u2019s salary to lessen their salary bill. Nets send Miami a 2026 second-rounder that is protected 31-55.\u201d<\/p>\n The decision to trade Highsmith is what created the cap space for Miami to sign Smith without risking becoming a luxury-tax paying team. Given Miami\u2019s struggles at the guard position in recent years, adding Smith on a multi-year deal makes sense.<\/p>\n The hope will be that he can develop into a reliable backup option who can spell minutes in the starting rotation when needed.<\/p>\n Highsmith Due to Miss 8-10 Weeks<\/p>\n On August 8, the Heat reported that Highsmith was set to miss 8 to 10 weeks due to his recent surgery. That would likely be before he began rehabbing his injury and working himself back to full fitness.<\/p>\n INJURY UPDATE: Haywood Highsmith underwent successful surgery this morning to repair a meniscal tear in his right knee which he suffered while training in Baltimore. He will begin rehabilitation immediately and is expected to miss eight-to-10 weeks.<\/p>\n \u2014 Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) August 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Losing Highsmith will be a tough blow for the Heat\u2019s wing depth. However, the need to add another body at the guard positions likely outweighed what Highsmith would bring to the rotation as a bench forward.<\/p>\n Smith has shown some potential and upside in recent years and could now finally be in line to have a legitimate role within Spoelstra\u2019s rotation. And, with such a low annual salary, Miami could easily redirect him in a trade if things don\u2019t go according to plan. All-in-all, the Heat have enjoyed a strong piece of business, as they continue an impressive summer of recruitment and preparations.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tAdam Taylor<\/a> is a basketball reporter covering the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns for Heavy. He has also written for CelticsBlog, USA Today, Yardbarker and FanSided. Adam has a bachelor\u2019s degree in creative writing from Open University. More about Adam Taylor<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Heat\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t