The Miami Heat are not planning to pursue a backup center in free agency despite recent workouts with available big men, according to reporting from Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
Instead, the organization prioritized re-signing guard Dru Smith, who agreed to a three-year, $7.9 million contract. The deal includes a fully guaranteed first season and conditional guarantees in the final two years.
To make room for Smith, Miami traded forward Haywood Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets. That move saved $5.6 million and allowed the team to stay under the salary cap.
Smith, 27, was sidelined last December with an Achilles injury but impressed Miami’s coaching staff before the setback. In 14 games last season, he averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 53.3 percent from three.
The Heat believe Smith will be ready for the season opener on October 22, or soon after. His signing rules out the immediate addition of free agent centers such as Kai Jones, who worked out for Miami last week, or veteran Trey Lyles, who has been linked to the franchise.
With Smith back, Miami’s guard rotation is set. He joins Davion Mitchell and first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis as potential options behind starters Tyler Herro and Norman Powell.
The decision leaves the team thin in the frontcourt. Bam Adebayo remains the primary interior presence, with rookie Kel’el Ware and recent two-way signee Vladislav Goldin as depth options.
According to the Miami Herald, Miami could revisit the center position later in the season but is more likely to address it through a trade rather than free agency. Adding a 15th standard-contract player now would also push the roster into luxury tax territory.
The Heat enter the 2025–26 season looking to rebound after a disappointing 2024–25 campaign. They finished below .500 for the first time since 2019, secured the No. 10 seed, and were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
