The Miami Heat seemingly finalized its roster yesterday with Dru Smith agreeing to a three-year contract. While Smith is a player that the Heat loves, his signing leaves the team’s roster a little unbalanced.
Miami Heat Could Address Roster’s Biggest Hole With Trade And 2 Youngsters Who Need To Step Up
Smith, who was a restricted free agent, signed a three-year deal worth $7.9 million. His first year is fully guaranteed, though Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald said that the second and third years are partially guaranteed with conditions.
“Dru Smith becomes Heat’s 14th standard contact,” Jackson tweeted. “Per source, first year is guaranteed. 2nd and 3rd year of deals have conditional guarantees.”
Smith has been part of the Heat’s organization for most of his career. But injuries have kept the 27-year-old point guard sidelined for much of his time with the organization. He has appeared in 38 NBA games over the last three seasons, though his last two campaigns were cut short due to ACL and Achilles tendon injuries.
Smith averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists over 20 minutes in 19 games last season before suffering a season ending injury. It was his shooting where the 6-2 point guard made his mark, posting splits of 50.8/53.3/75. He is a solid point of attack defender and has is a career 42.4% shooter from deep.
Smith tore his Achilles tendon, which was a non-contact injury he suffered in late December. He is likely to miss most of training camp, but there is reportedly optimism will be able to play either by the start of the regular season or shortly thereafter.
With Smith’s addition, nine of Miami’s 14 players on standard contracts are either guards or wings. Thus, leaving the Heat with just five frontcourt players, although they do have several versatile players.
Miami isn’t expected to add a 15th player until later in the season as that would put the Heat over the luxury tax. The Heat just dumped Haywood Highsmith to Brooklyn to get under the tax.
Heat’s Frontcourt Depth
The frontcourt was Miami’s strength last season. Bam Adebayo is the unquestioned starter, and while Kel’el Ware started the season as Adebayo’s backup, the pair played well together last year and are expected to start alongside each other this year. Leaving Nikola Jovic and Simone Fontecchio as the pair’s primary backups.
Fontecchio played power forward the last two years in Detroit, but is undersized at that position and not a good rebounder. Meanwhile, Jovic is better suited for the four than the five, though he does have some experience at center.
Rookie center Vlad Goldin is on a two-way deal. But it is unknown whether the big Russian 7-footer is ready for a major role at this point in the NBA. He had a productive summer league, averaging 9.2 points, 4.8 boards, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 64.5% from the field. Additionally, he produced one double-double and scored in double-figures in three of six contests.
Could The Heat Trade For A Center
The Heat reportedly had interest in Kai Jones, who worked out at the team’s facility last week, and Trey Lyles. But given their tenous cap situation, it doesn’t look like the Heat will add either player before the season. However, Jackson did suggest that the Heat could trade for a backup center.
“The Heat opted to sign Smith instead of a backup center such as Kai Jones, who auditioned for Miami last week, or veteran center Trey Lyles, who also has been linked to the Heat,” Jackson said. “Miami isn’t expected to add a backup center on a standard contract anytime soon, though it’s conceivable that could be addressed with another trade or by signing a veteran center to a two-way contract. (Jones is not eligible for a two-way deal.)”
In Jackson’s scenario, it is more likely that they sign a veteran center eligible for a two-way deal. The Heat have an open two-way spot. Keshad Johnson,Pelle Larsson, and Fontecchio are really the Heat’s only realistic tradeable players for a backup center.Unless they can find a taker for Terry Rozier.
Nikola Jovic and Kasparas Jakucionis Needs To Be Face Of the Franchise
Speaking of Jovic, Jackson singled him and 2025 first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis as essential players going forward. Jackson made the assessment while revealing the Heat’s offer to Phoenix for Kevin Durant.
“Per source with direct knowledge, Heat was willing to offer [Andrew] Wiggins, Rozier, Highsmith, [Jaime] Jaquez and 20th pick in June’s draft for Durant & Cody Martin,” Jackson tweeted. “Per Shams, Suns wanted Jaquez, Jović, Highsmith, 20th pick and a pick swap (as well as Wiggins/Rozier inclusion). SO…Jovic and Kasparas J. need to work out for justify the decision, which was a difficult one for Heat to reach.”
Jovic may be ready to turn the corner in year four. The 22-year-old forward has improved in each of his professional seasons. He averaged 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 45.6/37.1/82.8 this past season. Additionally, he scored in double-figures in 27 of his 46 contests, topping the 20-point plateau four times.
However, Jovic has failed to stay in the Heat’s rotation. Jovic has not played in more than 48 games in his career. This past season, the 6-10 forward missed extended time with a fracture in the second metacarpal of his right hand.
Kasparas Jakucionis
Jakucionis may not be part of the Heat’s rotation. The Heat have a wealth of guards. Tyler Herro and Norman Powell are slated to start in the Heat’s backcourt. Rozier, Davion Mitchell, Jaquez, and perhaps Smith are ahead of the 19-year-old Lithuanian on the depth chart.
Jakucionis was an efficient scorer at Illinois as he got to the rim and the free-throw line. The 6-6 guard also did a great job as a distributor, though he did struggle with his ballhandling and 3-point shooting. Those same problems showed up during summer league play for Jakucionis. Defense was also a problem for him this summer.
After struggling during the California Classic, Jakucionis with a nice performance in Vegas. In six games, Jakucionis averaged 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.7 turnovers. He also registered 1.5 steals a game with shooting splits of 31.8/21.4/92.
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro, Imagn Images
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