Dru Smith Targets Full Clearance for Heat Training Camp After Achilles Tear
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The Miami Heat’s newly re-signed guard Dru Smith is pushing to enter training camp on September 30 without any medical limitations, he told the Miami Herald this week.
Smith, 27, has been rehabbing a torn Achilles tendon that cut short his 2024-25 season in December. He has already taken part in limited contact drills and expects to progress to full five-on-five sessions “in the next few weeks,” provided there are no setbacks.
“I feel like I’ve been on a great trajectory,” Smith said. “The goal is to be ready by camp, and right now that’s what we’re looking at.”
Before the injury, the 6’3″ guard had become a regular in head coach Erik Spoelstra’s closing lineups, averaging 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 steals across 14 games. Miami kept him on the roster after the injury, even though replacing him would not have affected the club’s salary cap.
Smith entered restricted free agency when the Heat extended a qualifying offer in late June and continued working out at the team facility all summer. A roster spot opened last Friday when forward Haywood Highsmith was traded to Brooklyn, paving the way for Smith’s new contract.
“Any time you have nothing signed, it’s a little worrisome,” Smith said. “But we love this organization and are excited to be back.”
The Missouri product first joined Miami on a training-camp contract in 2021 and has returned on multiple two-way deals despite being waived four times. He has appeared in 38 NBA games—10 of them with Brooklyn—over three seasons.
Smith, who also missed time with previous injuries, said the mental aspect of this rehab has been the toughest hurdle. “There are days where it seems like I’ve been rehabbing for two years,” he noted, “but I’m leaning on my faith and attacking it with a positive attitude.”
Source: HoopsRumors
