Dru Smith: I think my role in Miami is just trying to be as disruptive as possible on defense

Dru Smith: I think my role here is just trying to be as disruptive as possible on defense. Bring energy, impact plays on the defensive end, and then obviously make open shots, get the ball where it needs to go. And just play the right way on offense, not forcing anything, let the game come to me on that area.

Source: HoopsHype

More on this storyline

Dru Smith: There were plenty of days of frustration. Just questioning, is this what I’m supposed to be doing? You feel like you’re chasing something that just keeps getting further away. But it was all worth it and just continue. But I’m still in the same position. I’m still here on a two-way, still trying to do the same thing. So, keeping that in mind at the same time, always trying to appreciate my opportunities that I get. I try to take advantage of them to the best of my ability. -via HoopsHype / December 17, 2024

What do you think was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome to get to this point? Dru Smith: Yeah, I mean, obviously the ACL was the biggest obstacle, I would say. But I think it was probably that year where I was here on a two-way, I was cut, signed back, cut again, signed to Brooklyn. Then I didn’t re-sign with Brooklyn in the summer. I’d say that was probably the biggest challenge mentally. The ACL was also tough, but it was kind of something that you had to accept. You had no other option. The two-way thing was up and down, and just really tough mentally. So, I’d say that was the biggest obstacle. -via HoopsHype / December 17, 2024

If the Heat moves Smith to a standard contract in the coming days, his minimum salary for the rest of the season would be about $1.5 million. The Heat has enough room to sign Smith to that deal while still staying about $2.2 million under the second apron threshold. Smith’s potential promotion to a standard contract would create an open two-way contract slot for the Heat. The Heat could fill that opening by signing guard Isaiah Stevens to a two-way deal. -via Miami Herald / December 14, 2024

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Dru Smith: I think my role in Miami is just trying to be as disruptive as possible on defense