Heat have 2 intriguing short-term options for key backup position

As nice as it is to have Terry Rozier back in the Miami Heat’s lineup, there are still questions about the team’s point guard depth.

As presently constructed, there are only three players on the roster that could fill in as the backup behind Rozier. Josh Richardson’s recovery from shoulder surgery has left him sidelined to begin the year, leaving just two options: Alec Burks and Dru Smith. 

Alec Burks and Dru Smith played well in the preseason.

The Heat brought Burks into the fold during this summer’s free agency. He wound up being the lone free agent acquisition and came from his most recent stint with the New York Knicks. His signing brought some more productive point guard insurance from a well respected veteran, playing for now his eighth team in his 15-year career. 

Burks is a former “Heat killer," averaging 45% from 3-point range in games against Miami in his career. Last season, he averaged 10.4 points on 38% from deep during the time split between New York and the Detroit Pistons.

In the Heat’s preseason win against the Atlanta Hawks, Burks posted nine points, five rebounds and two assists on 4 of 7 shooting in 14 minutes. He has shown activity on the defensive end by getting deflections and strips on opposing players. As a trusted player with experience and the ability to hit open shots, he's a trusted option.

His shooting has looked efficient and effective, just like the Heat’s more modern offense as a whole. Burks seems like the perfect plug-and-play role player and should be a considerable upgrade from Patty Mills a season ago. 

Dru Smith has also looked impactful, with coach Erik Spoelstra intrigued.

After suffering a season-ending ACL injury in his last Heat stint a year ago, Smith is back with the team on a two-way contract. The reunion raised a lot of questions within the fanbase, but his preseason runs have shown exactly why Miami is high on him. Smith may not light up the box score, but he does all the little things that lead to winning. 

When Spoelstra talked with the media recently, he praised Smith’s impact noting that “he just makes winning play after winning play.” 

There is a poise to Smith’s game whenever he steps on the court. He has a high basketball IQ and always makes the right play. Smith has found several Heat players on cuts to the lane, and he has even orchestrated fast breaks to earn some easy points. His defense has also improved, as he has showcased some point-of-attack coverage on the perimeter.

Both Burks and Smith played well this preseason, giving Spoelstra a tough choice in deciding who earns minutes in the regular season.