The Miami Heat has filled its final two-way contract slot by bringing back guard Dru Smith. Smith, who has been part of the Heat’s organization for parts of the past three seasons, will join Florida guard Zyon Pullin and Arizona forward Keshad Johnson in the Heat’s three two-way contract slots.
Smith, 26, went undrafted out of Missouri in 2021 and spent his first season in the Heat’s G League development program. He started the 2022-23 season on a two-way contract with the Heat before earning a standard NBA contract. However, his season was cut short by an ACL injury in November, which required surgery. Before the injury, Smith played in nine games, scoring 39 points on 45.5% shooting from the field and 41.2% from three-point range, along with contributing 14 rebounds, 14 assists, nine steals, and three blocks. The Heat waived him in March to sign veteran guard Patty Mills, but Smith remained with the team to rehabilitate his knee.
Despite entering his fourth year in the Heat’s development program, Smith is still eligible for a two-way contract as he has less than three years of NBA service. Smith and Pullin signed their two-way contracts with the Heat on Monday, and Johnson is expected to sign soon.
Two-way contracts do not count towards the salary cap or luxury tax and allow players to be active for up to 50 regular-season games, with additional playing time in the G League. NBA teams can have three players on two-way contracts at any time, and these deals can be swapped as needed.
While Pullin and Johnson will participate in the Heat’s summer league team, it is uncertain if Smith will join them. Last season’s two-way contract players, Jamal Cain, Cole Swider, and Alondes Williams, have different statuses. Cain, who did not receive a qualifying offer, is now an unrestricted free agent and is not expected to return. Swider and Williams received qualifying offers, making them restricted free agents, and they will attempt to secure spots on the Heat’s roster, either through a standard deal or another two-way contract.
The Heat’s summer league training camp starts this week in San Francisco, with their first game against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, followed by games against the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers. They will then compete in the Las Vegas Summer League from July 12-22.
