Heat Sign Dru Smith To Standard Contract, Add Swider To Two-Way
Official Release /October 21, 2023
Your Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed guard Dru Smith to a Standard Contract and converted forward Cole Swider to a Two-Way Contract. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Smith, who was signed by the HEAT to a Two-Way Contract on July 1, appeared in four games this preseason with Miami (one start) averaging 6.5 points, 5.2 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 1.75 steals and 23.6 minutes. Smith split last season between Miami, Brooklyn and the G League. He appeared in 15 total games with the HEAT’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, and averaged 17.7 points, 5.9 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 2.07 steals while shooting 48.3 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three-point range and 74.3 percent from the foul line. He totaled a +76 plus/minus, recorded six 20-point games and posted three double-doubles, helping the Skyforce to a 10-5 record over that span. Smith also appeared in 14 G League games with the Long Island Nets and averaged 14.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.93 steals and 29.8 minutes while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 44.6 percent from three-point range. He appeared in two postseason games with Long Island and totaled 33 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, five blocks and four steals while shooting 56 percent from the field. Additionally, Smith appeared in 15 NBA games with the HEAT and Nets, averaging 2.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 10.5 minutes of action while shooting 40 percent from the field and a perfect 3-of-3 from the foul line. He scored a season-high 17 points as a member of the Nets against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 9 while also recording five assists, three rebounds and one block.
Swider, who was signed by the HEAT on August 11, appeared in all five games this preseason with Miami averaging 11.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 19.8 minutes. Swider split last season between the Los Angeles Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. He appeared in 27 regular season games (19 starts) with South Bay and averaged 17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 28.7 minutes while shooting 50.6 percent from the field, 43.6 percent from three-point range and 83.8 percent from the foul line. He led the team in three-point field goals made and finished second in points, helping the squad to a playoff berth. He also appeared in seven games with the Los Angeles Lakers, totaling nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.