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)
The Miami Heat have not lived up to expectations. Here are three moves that the Nets can make to turn their season around.
The Miami Heat are off to a disappointing 10-11 start, and they currently sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. After taking the Boston Celtics to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Heat entered this season with high expectations. With a strong core of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro, the Heat still have the potential to be title contenders, but the supporting cast needs to improve.
Here are three moves that they can make to turn their season around.
3. Keep Dru Smith in the rotation
Dru Smith played a career-high 21 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, and he looked impressive. Smith scored five points and made 2-of-3 field goal attempts, but his defense was the highlight of the night. When defended by Smith, Hawks’ players went 3-of-10 from the field and 0-2 from 3. It was only third regular season game of Smith’s career.
Smith has been a standout in G-League play. This season, he is averaging 17.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks, while shooting 42.1 percent from 3 for the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
The Heat would be wise to keep Smith as a member of the rotation and let the 24-year-old develop.