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3 Heat Summer League sleepers who could earn minutes this season

By Nicholas Chiarito

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Dru Smith #9 of the Miami Heat warms up before the game before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 29, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Dru Smith #9 of the Miami Heat warms up before the game before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 29, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: Dru Smith #9 of the Miami Heat warms up before the game before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 29, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: Dru Smith #9 of the Miami Heat warms up before the game before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 29, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

3 Heat sleepers who could earn minutes this season: Dru Smith

Dru Smith is going to have the best sleeper story of the offseason if he is able to gain minutes for the Heat. Smith has already signed five different contracts with Miami since September of 2021 and has been waived within less than 2 months every single time.

Smith, who is currently on his third two-way contract with the Heat, has been one of the starting guards this Summer League. He is averaging 11.3 points and 4.5 assists on 45 percent from the field and 40 percent from three.

The Heat has lost two important guards in free agency and may lose more in a Damian Lillard trade. With more guard slots opening up on the roster, Dru Smith could finally get his opportunity.

Smith is also built from the same mold as a Gabe Vincent or Max Strus and he has constantly been overlooked his whole career.

Smith would be the perfect replacement for Gabe Vincent. He provides great perimeter defense, good 3-point shooting and can be a playmaker every once in a while. If the Heat do acquire Damian Lillard, he is also the perfect complementary guard. We have already seen him play some two-guard this Summer League and he performed well.

Pat Riley cannot pass up on this man again and should take note of what he has been doing in the Summer League.

Next. NBA trade machine: A 3-team Damian Lillard trade that actually works. dark

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