The Miami Heat has solidified its roster for the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season, making several significant moves in the days leading up to its regular-season opener against the Detroit Pistons, set to tip off on Wednesday.
With the NBA regular season slated to begin on October 24, as the Los Angeles Lakers face off against the Denver Nuggets, the Heat has taken action to bolster its squad.
First and foremost, the Heat signed guard Dru Smith to a multi-year contract, securing his place on the team. Additionally, it converted forward Cole Swider to a two-way deal, giving him an opportunity to further develop his skills within the Heat organization.
In corresponding roster adjustments, the Heat made the decision to waive forward Justin Champagnie and big man Cheick Diallo. Champagnie, who had previously played for the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics during the 2022-23 regular season, found himself released from the Heat’s roster. Diallo, on the other hand, hadn’t seen action in a regular-season game since the 2021-22 season when he made just three appearances with the Detroit Pistons.
Degree of inconsistency
During the preseason, Dru Smith’s performance exhibited a degree of inconsistency. While he had notable outings against the Brooklyn Nets on October 18, where he contributed nine points and 10 assists, as well as against the San Antonio Spurs on October 13, where he scored 13 points and provided three assists, Smith struggled to make an impact in games against the Houston Rockets and the Charlotte Hornets. Against the Rockets, he managed just two points, converting only one of his five field-goal attempts, and against the Hornets, Smith went scoreless, missing all six of his field-goal attempts while recording three turnovers and three assists.
Cole Swider, like Smith, displayed some inconsistency during the preseason but showcased his ability to be a potent scorer from beyond the 3-point arc. His standout performance came against the Hornets, where he knocked down five of his nine 3-point attempts in under 14 minutes of play, ultimately finishing the game with 17 points. Swider also had a notable 15-point outing against the Nets, where he made three 3-pointers.
While both Smith and Swider may not see consistent playing time during the 2023-24 regular season, their performances during the preseason evidently left a positive impression on the Heat organization, resulting in contract offers. Smith’s playmaking abilities and Swider’s sharpshooting from long-range make them intriguing prospects whom the Heat are eager to retain as part of their roster.
