Dennis Smith Jr., Jimmy Butler Heat
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Dennis Smith Jr. guards former Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.
The Miami Heat have quietly added a familiar name to their developmental system, bringing former lottery pick Dennis Smith Jr. into the organization through their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported Wednesday that the Skyforce added Smith, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, just days after he was waived by the Wisconsin Herd. The move signals another low-risk, high-upside bet by a franchise known for extracting value from overlooked or discarded talent.
Dennis Smith Jr. Joins Heat’s Renowned Development Program
Smith, 28, has not appeared in an NBA game since the 2023–24 season and spent this year attempting to work his way back into the league via the G League. In 11 games with the Herd, he averaged 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 23.4 minutes per game.
While his offensive efficiency remained a concern — he shot just 35% from the field, 25% from three-point range, and 67% from the free-throw line — Smith continued to distinguish himself defensively, averaging two steals per game and routinely guarding opposing lead ballhandlers.
Defense has become Smith’s calling card, and it is precisely that skill set that aligns with Miami’s identity.
Heat Culture Offers Familiar Path for Veteran Revival
By joining the Skyforce, Smith enters a developmental pipeline that has become one of the NBA’s most respected. Miami has a long track record of transforming G League players and overlooked veterans into meaningful rotation contributors, including Duncan Robinson, Max Strus, Caleb Martin, and Gabe Vincent.
According to NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Sioux Falls views Smith as both a stabilizing veteran presence and a potential call-up option for the Heat as the season progresses.
With the NBA’s 10-day contract window approaching and playoff positioning tightening, Smith’s defensive versatility could make him an emergency depth option for a Miami team that values point-of-attack resistance.
Dennis Smith Jr.’s NBA Journey Comes Full Circle
Once considered a high-flying future star after being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks, Smith’s career arc has shifted dramatically over the past several seasons. Early in his career, his explosive athleticism and scoring instincts defined his game. Over time, he has reinvented himself as a defensive specialist willing to accept a narrower role.
Smith’s journey back toward the NBA has included stops with the Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets, a brief overseas stint with Real Madrid in Spain, and a return to Dallas for training camp last fall. Each stop has reinforced the same theme: resilience.
Miami now offers another opportunity — and perhaps the most favorable ecosystem yet — for Smith to carve out a sustainable role.
Heat’s Backcourt Moves Come Amid Ja Morant Trade Speculation
Smith’s addition also comes as league insiders continue to downplay speculation linking the Heat to Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps said on The Hoop Collective podcast earlier this month that Miami is extremely unlikely to pursue Morant, despite recurring rumors.
“I feel confident that Ja Morant will not be a Heat and will not be a Buck,” Bontemps said. “I don’t believe he’s going to Miami, and I don’t believe he’s going to Milwaukee.”
Bontemps’ comments echoed his earlier reporting with Brian Windhorst from ESPN, which stated that Miami has been overstated as a potential landing spot for Morant.
Financial Flexibility Over Splashy Trades
According to the ESPN report, the Heat remain “laser-focused” on maintaining financial flexibility for the 2027–28 offseason, when stars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, and Donovan Mitchell could all reach unrestricted free agency.
Taking on Morant’s contract — which includes more than $80 million over the next two seasons — would run counter to that long-term strategy, particularly given concerns around his availability and durability.
Against that backdrop, Miami’s decision to add Smith through the G League reflects a familiar organizational philosophy: build depth organically, avoid short-term financial entanglements, and trust development over desperation.
Low-Risk Move Fits Heat’s Long-Term Vision
Dennis Smith Jr.’s arrival in Sioux Falls may not generate headlines, but it fits squarely within the Heat’s long-standing approach. For Smith, it represents another chance to prove his defensive value in a system that rewards effort, toughness, and adaptability.
For Miami, it is a quiet, calculated move — one that keeps options open while staying true to a blueprint that has consistently turned unheralded additions into postseason contributors.
Whether Smith’s stay leads to an NBA call-up remains to be seen. But in Miami, the path has been paved before.