The Miami Heat have the best track record in the league in terms of developing undrafted players, helping them be impactful, and carving out long professional careers. A few recent examples are Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, and Caleb Martin, all now part of different organizations, but signed big standard contracts after their tenures ended.

However, one of the Heat's projects is an interesting case, but the course was never lost in hindsight. Dru Smith first appeared on the scene in 2022 after signing a two-way contract with the organization. There wasn't much known about him at the time.

The Heat remained faithful to the older guard and his development. Smith saw more playing time in the early course of the 2024 season, before tragically suffering a torn ACL in his right knee during a game against the Cavaliers at Cleveland. Their court is elevated off the floor, which resulted in the injury.

The Heat still believed in Smith and wanted to continue his development. They assisted in his rehab, then signed him back on a two-way contract for the following year. He would crack the rotation in mid-December, before tragedy struck again, suffering a torn Achilles tendon in his left leg.

It's never easy to make it to the big leagues, let alone stay, and suffering two major injuries in back-to-back years can be crushing. However, Smith never let the turn of events take his sight away from everything he worked hard for. He's alluded to his faith in God, along with the support of his wife and family, in keeping his spirits up.

This summer, Smith signed a three-year, $7.90 million partially-guaranteed contract with the Heat. They've shown support and belief in him from the beginning, which is a rare find in professional sports.

"It feels great," Smith told HeatRoundTable Sports. "Just very appreciative of how they handled everything and how they've treated me over the last couple of years. It wouldn't necessarily have been the same anywhere else."

As the Heat have shown early glimpses of a fast-paced and highly efficient offense to begin the season, they'll face a match in that with the Charlotte Hornets tonight, who currently average the most points per game in the league, 132.

When asking Smith whether to expect a shootout or a game decided by defense, the 27-year-old believes it can be "a little bit of both."

"I think whoever's able to impose their will in certain segments, it's probably going to be the team that comes out on top," he said. "We know their pace is very high, especially offensively. There's going to be some crazy stretches in the game where we're both up and down, and scoring quickly."

It's obvious that All-Star guard LaMelo Ball is the head of the snake for the Hornets, who is coming off a triple-double against the Washington Wizards on Sunday night: 38 points, along with five three-pointers made, 13 rebounds, 13 assists, and three steals in 35 minutes. He's an electrifying combo guard that can score on all three levels, facilitate for his teammates, and is capable of crashing the glass at times with his 6'7 frame.

Smith believes it will take a collective effort to slow down the young star.

"You just try to show him bodies," he said. "Try to be in the gaps, try to help whoever is on the ball guarding him at the time. A very talented guy, he's going to do what he does. We just try to make it a little bit tougher on him."

The Heat will tip off against the Hornets tonight at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, then they will commence a four-game Western Conference road trip.