UNBELIEVABLE: THE MIAMI HEAT HAVE DRU SMITH PROBLEM! CAN IT BE FIXED 

Miami Heat Sign Guard Dru Smith To Standard Contract

Miami Heat guard Dru Smith gets a standard deal after signing a two-way contract in July.

MIAMI HEAT
Miami Heat guard Dru Smith vowed to contribute to the team in hopes of earning a regular season contract. He finally received that deal Saturday morning after Miami signed him to a multi-year contract.

Smith has bounced between the Heat and the G League the last few years.

In his G League career, he averaged 13.2 points on 46 percent shooting from the field. He never really saw the floor in Miami last season, averaging just 2.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and one assist on 13.4 minutes last season.

Smith got action in the preseason, but struggled with turnovers and fouling. His scoring was underwhelming as well, averaging just 6.5 points on 30 percent shooting.

However, with the way Miami develops undrafted players, it’s not out of the question to see improvements to Smith’s game. He promised to improve as a team contributor after the loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

“Being able to come in and run the offense and get the ball where it needs to go and hopefully hit guys when they’re open and allow them to make plays,” Smith said. “Jimmy, Bam, Duncan, Tyler, all those guys, they need to get the ball when they need it.”

He received the deal he desired, and his mentality is to keep up his work ethic.

“I just have to do whatever is asked of me,” Smith said. “I think a lot of situations, at least right now in the preseason, that’s what’s asked of me.”

The Heat begin their season against the Detroit Pistons Wednesday night.

Miami Heat center Thomas Bryant (31) shoots against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory

Hot Or Not: Miami Heat find answers at 2 key positions in the preseason

Welcome to Hot Or Not, our weekly column where we take a look at some players on the Miami Heat whose stock is rising or falling. This week, we’re taking stock of Dru Smith and Thomas Bryant, who have earned spots in the nightly rotation.

Hot: Dru Smith
No player had a better week than Dru Smith, who was promoted to the 15-man roster after the preseason. In four preseason games, Smith totaled 26 points, 21 assists and just 12 turnovers. He also had seven steals. Coach Erik Spoelstra has praised Smith on multiple occasions for his decision-making and ability to get the Heat into offense.

Most of Smith’s work is unspectacular — and that’s meant in a good way. He dribbles the ball up the court with pace and makes simple passes to Miami’s best scorers. There are no frills. Just yeoman work.

But every once in a while, he’ll be part of a highlight. Against the Nets last week, Smith qued up a dribble handoff with Jamal Cain that flowed into a pick-and-roll. Next thing anyone knew, Cain was floating above the Brooklyn defense for an alley-oop.

Smith had 10 assists in the game. Another one went to Thomas Bryant on a brilliant pocket pass.

Smith is a better passer than Gabe Vincent and pushes the tempo like Kyle Lowry. He is a true point guard in that sense, and factors in as Miami’s primary backup behind Lowry.

If there’s an area of concern in Smith’s game, it’s his scoring efficiency. He shot just 30.3% overall in the preseason after shooting 40% overall last season. He struggled to finish at the basket and doesn’t have a 3-point shot to speak of. Defenses will dare Smith to shoot and he’ll need to convert to keep his spot on the roster long-term.