Heat ‘not expected’ to address backup center hole after Dru Smith signing

Although there’s been a glaring big man hole in the Heat’s depth chart, the front office reportedly “isn’t expected to add a backup center on a standard contract anytime soon.”
(Photo via Getty Images)

When the Miami Heat committed to sign Dru Smith to a standard three-year contract, it briefly made sense. The Heat, and especially coach Erik Spoelstra, have been high on Smith for years.

That notion was finally justified after the undrafted guard ascended in Spoelstra’s rotation during the first half of last season. His point-of-attack defensive skills looked impressive. And Smith seemed to develop into a much improved shooter in the Heat’s system.

In 14 games played in the 2024-25 campaign, Smith knocked down 16 of his 30 3-point attempts.

That’s good for an encouraging and efficient 53% from deep. The combination of the gritty perimeter defense, paired with the rising floor spreading ability, put Smith in a position to be just days away from earning a standard contract last year.

However, a devastating torn achilles ended his season. This comes after another season-ending ACL tear the season prior, as well. That’s back-to-back career threatening injuries, yet Miami’s clear faith in Smith as a role player trumped the option to address a much more needed roster hole.

The Miami Heat do not have a backup big man.

If Spoelstra continues to ride with the intriguing Bam Adebayo-Kel’el Ware starting frontcourt duo heading into the new campaign, that leaves no true backup center remaining on the roster.

They have 7-foot Vlad Goldin on a two-way contract, but he has zero NBA experience and may not be ready for a consistent bench role. Nikola Jovic technically has the height to man a backup big role, but that would force him out of a much more comfortable forward position.

As presently constructed, the Heat roster without a backup big man only makes me wonder if this rotation makes sense:

Herro
Powell
Wiggins
Jovic
Bam

Ware
Mitchell
Fontecchio
Smith
Larsson/JJJ

Going Ware off the bench doesn’t mean he won’t have starter minutes or close games.

— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) August 18, 2025

Unfortunately for Heat fans concerned about the most recent clear roster flaw, a solution might not be coming anytime soon— as reported by the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang.

“Miami isn’t expected to add a backup center on a standard contract anytime soon, though it’s conceivable that could be addressed with another trade or by signing a veteran center to a two-way contract.”

— Miami Herald

The Heat have one two-way spot open on their roster, and would be wise to fill it with any eligible big that they can get their hands on.

In that case, if needed to go deep into the rotation in the event Adebayo or Ware get into foul trouble or suffer an injury— they have more options than just Goldin.

This Heat team is not good enough to justify tax penalties by signing a big on a minimum standard deal right now.

After the Smith re-signing, the Heat can’t add a 15th and final roster player until the second half of next season to remain under the tax, per the Miami Herald. That keeps Kai Jones off the table, for now.

High flying 6-foot-11 Jones, who has recently worked out with Miami, is not eligible for a two-way deal. Neither does veteran big Trey Lyles, who also has been linked to the Heat.

Any other way they get a backup center in the near future would either be from a trade or as mentioned, another two-way.

If not, they could add someone (like Jones) midseason without any repeater tax penalty. But it might be too late.

Heat ‘not expected’ to address backup center hole after Dru Smith signing

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