Heat Sign Player to Multi-Year Deal Despite Achilles Injury

The Miami Heat have signed guard Dru Smith to a three-year contract even though he is still rehabbing from an Achilles tendon injury. 

The contact was announced online by Shams Charania, who wrote on X:

"The Miami Heat are signing guard Dru Smith on new a three-year contract, sources tell ESPN. Smith has developed within the Heat program and has overcome season-ending ACL and Achilles tendon injuries in each of the past two years."

Considering the injury history noted about by Charania, this is a strong deal for Smith who will earn $7.9 million over three years. The first year of the contract will be fully guaranteed. The final two years of the new deal are only conditionally guaranteed. 

Hailing from Evansville, Indiana, Smith was not a major prospect coming out of high school, and he began his career at Evansville University. After two seasons there, Smith then moved on to the University of Missouri. 

The guard became a standout after moving to the University of Missouri. He was a stand-out during his final season, 2020-21, averaging 14.3 points per game and shooting 39% from three point range. For his efforts, the SEC Coaches named him First-Team All-Conference. 

Smith went undrafted in 2022 and began his G League career with Sioux City. His play in the G League attracted the attention of the Miami Heat who signed him in 2023. While he would temporarily move to the Brooklyn Nets, Smith came back to Miami in 2023. He appeared in 14 games for the Heat last year, scoring 6.3 points and notching 2.6 rebounds per game.