Now that the Miami Heat are aware of Dru Smith’s absence for the rest of the season, the team faces the task of deciding how to handle his vacant spot on the roster. Miami initially had 14 players signed and an extra roster spot before Smith’s injury, providing them with the flexibility to fill two spots.
Given the team’s aim to minimize expenses under the NBA’s luxury tax provision, it’s probable that the Heat will opt to fill only one of the vacant spots. Currently, according to Spotrac, the Heat have a payroll of $180.265 million and a tax bill of $28.7 million.
To replace Smith, the team would need to consider a prorated minimum contract, possibly turning to a veteran player. Notably, veteran insider Ira Winderman suggested several available free agents, with John Wall standing out. Wall, a former Wizards star, had a significant contract but faced setbacks, including a torn Achilles tendon in 2019.
While Wall, now 33, may not match his prime performance, where he was a five-time All-Star, he could serve as a valuable change-of-pace guard off the bench for the Heat. Despite not embracing the NBA’s 3-point trend, Wall remains an effective attacker of the basket, bringing a dimension to the Heat’s bench.
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Other replacement suggestions from Winderman include Austin Rivers, now a TV analyst, former Heat guard Goran Dragic, and veteran point guard George Hill, who played for the Bucks and the Pacers last year.
Regarding Dru Smith’s injury, he was evolving into a promising prospect within the Miami Heat’s developmental system, averaging 14.6 minutes and 4.3 points on 45.5% shooting in nine games. Coach Erik Spoelstra attributed Smith’s injury to the unique court in Cleveland, where an out-of-bounds play resulted in an awkward landing due to the raised court at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Spoelstra acknowledged the unusual nature of the injury, expressing confidence in Smith’s resilience and determination for rehabilitation.