"29.5 - 3-point percentage Smith's impact offensively begins - and somewhat ends - with his 3-point percentage, given his role. While he had the highest usage rate (15.2 percent) of his career, he wasn't a high usage player, per se. His role was constrained to an off-ball, spot-up role, playing off other teams' closeouts. Though Smith wasn't always played off the 3-point line because, well, he wasn't a good shooter."
"Smith was a 42.4 percent 3-point shooter over his first three seasons, although that was over 66 combined attempts across 38 games. In his first elongated sample, he wasn't efficient. Perhaps that was due to tired legs over the course of an 82-game season, but he doesn't do anything well enough offensively to justify his role if he's not knocking down (open) looks."
"6.2 - Deflections per 36 minutes Even though Smith's impact defensively wasn't quite as loud, his disruptiveness was. He averaged a league-most 6.2 deflections per 36 minutes (min. 500 MIN) while topping the NBA in steals per 75 possessions (3.1). Offenses exposed his size (or lack thereof) more in 2025-26 than they ever did previously, but he still did an excellent job using his hands to generate turnovers - whether it was on the ball or playing the passing lanes."
Dru Smith re-signed with the Miami Heat after a third season-ending knee surgery, entering the year with low expectations. He played 70 games and nearly doubled his combined games from his first three pro seasons. Offensively, his role emphasized off-ball spot-up shooting off closeouts, with his 3-point percentage at 29.5%. His usage rate reached 15.2% of possessions, but his effectiveness depended on making open looks. Defensively, he averaged 6.2 deflections per 36 minutes, leading the league in steals per 75 possessions at 3.1. He used his hands to create turnovers on-ball and in passing lanes, with opponents exposing his size more than before.
Read at Hot Hot Hoops - Miami HEAT NBA Blog
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