The Heat have signed Dru Smith, choosing him over a traditional backup center option such as Kai Jones, who recently auditioned for Miami, or veteran center Trey Lyles, who had also been tied to the team. Miami isn’t planning to add a backup center in free agency in the near term, though that need could be addressed later through a trade.
The presence of Jones’ audition and Lyles’ link indicates the Heat were exploring depth behind Bam Adebayo, but the club appears to favor addressing that gap via the trade market rather than immediate free-agent signings. This approach helps keep payroll flexible while preserving potential options to upgrade the frontcourt down the line.
Summary: Miami committed to Dru Smith on a roster move that keeps free-agent center depth on the back burner, with a possible trade as the next avenue to bolster the backup center spot.
Additional notes:
– The move suggests the Heat are prioritizing guard/wing depth and younger, flexible options while keeping trade avenues open for frontcourt reinforcement.
– If the team pursues a trade later, it could bring a more fit-specific center without long-term cap implications.
Positive angle: As the Heat navigate roster construction, maintaining flexibility could allow them to react to injuries or market shifts without committing significant cap space upfront.