Restricted free agent Dru Smith signs three-year contract with Miami Heat
This summer, shooting guard Dru Smith is a restricted free agent for the Miami Heat. He has spent every season in Miami for the past two seasons.
Last weekend, it was announced that the heat brought Dru Smith back to the standard contract. NBA insiders reported Miami gave him a three-year contract worth $7.9 million. The Heat had to trade Haywood Gaosmith to the Brooklyn Nets to have hat room to sign Smith. Michael Scotto of Hoopshype reported that it was totally guaranteed for the first year of the Smith deal.
Dru Smith is recovering calories on 2025-26
Sources told ESPN. Smith has developed in the Heat program and has overcome end-of-season ACL and Achilles tendon injuries every year for the past two years. pic.twitter.com/q4wjv89frs
– Shams Charania (@shamscharania) August 16, 2025
Dru Smith was not selected for Missouri at the 2021 NBA Draft. Smith, who started with the Heat, was an unsigned free agent. He spent some time in the G League. In the 2022-23 season, Smith allocated time between Miami’s G League branch and Heat’s NBA roster. They put him down after Smith started the season with Miami, and Smith signed a two-way contract with the Nets.
His career in Brooklyn lasted only 10 games, during which time he averaged 9.1 minutes per game. After the 2022-23 season, Smith found his way to recover his calories. Unfortunately, his past two seasons have been shortened by injuries. The 27-year-old has performed well in the start of the 2024-25 season. However, Smith suffered a tear from Achilles in December. He was limited to 14 games last season.
Just in: Miami Heat and Drew Smith have agreed to a three-year, $7.9 million deal, league sources told @HoopShype. Smith shot 51% from 51% and 3-point shooting 53% in 14 games last season. Agents Aaron Reilly and Reggie Berry ended up struck the deal. pic.twitter.com/bkgxdkzzx7
— Michael Scotto (@mikeascotto) August 16, 2025
Despite its unavailability, Miami still signed a two-way contract with Dru Smith. The team saw value in Smith’s roster. That’s why the Heat traded Haywood Highsmith to the Nets. This keeps Miami under the salary cap and makes enough room for Smith. Smith has greatly improved his accuracy from outside the arc over the past two seasons.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra has expanded Smith’s role and knows his shooting can make the team stand out. In 2024-25, Smith had an average career-high 0.508%, surpassing the arc. The sample size is small, as Smith only appeared in 14 games. With Dru Smith’s official signing, Miami has regained 14 players on the standard contract. The heat is left with a standard contract. Can Dru Smith stay healthy in 2025-26 and make an impact on Miami’s bench?
