With the unfortunate news of Dru Smith’s season-ending injury, the Miami Heat find themselves in a position to address the void in their roster. Currently, the team has 14 players signed and an extra roster spot available, and the approach to filling this spot is likely influenced by the desire to minimize payments under the NBA’s luxury tax provision. The Heat, with a payroll of $180.265 million and a tax bill of $28.7 million, may opt for a prorated minimum contract to replace Smith.
Veteran Heat insider Ira Winderman has suggested several free agents who could potentially fill this role, and one intriguing name is John Wall. The former Wizards star, who signed a massive four-year, $171 million contract extension in 2017, has faced setbacks, including a torn Achilles tendon in 2019. Despite being 33 years old, Wall could bring a change of pace off the bench, showcasing his skills as an attacking veteran capable of handling the ball and pressuring defenses.
While Wall may not match his prime performance as a five-time All-Star, he remains an effective attacker of the basket. However, his drawback lies in his struggle to adapt to the NBA’s 3-point trend, maintaining a career percentage of 32.4% from beyond the arc. Nevertheless, Winderman sees Wall as a potential asset to the Heat’s bench, providing a dimension currently lacking in the team.
In addition to Wall, Winderman suggests alternative options for Smith’s replacement, including newly minted TV analyst Austin Rivers, ex-Heat guard Goran Dragic, and veteran point guard George Hill, who split time between the Bucks and the Pacers last year.
As for Smith, the young prospect was making strides in the Miami Heat developmental system before his injury. Coach Erik Spoelstra attributed the injury to the unique court conditions in Cleveland, emphasizing the eight-inch drop-off from the court to the ground at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Despite the challenging circumstances, Spoelstra expressed confidence in Smith’s resilience, describing him as having the “grit” to handle the rehabilitation process.
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