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Dru Smith Rumors
In all, seven NBA players went down with a ruptured Achilles this past year, the others being James Wiseman, Isaiah Jackson, Dejounte Murray and Dru Smith during the regular season. At this week’s summer league, a plethora of orthopedic companies have arrived to weigh in with opinions and training proposals designed to explain or prevent the injuries. “Feels like there must be a thousand of performance people here, I guess selling their wares,” said one NBA team executive. “But [the Achilles epidemic] is something. There’s no way it’s not something. We’re looking at how people are playing, what the jump-back moves mean, how fast the game is. “Everything [injury-wise] in basketball is below the waist, and when someone gets a sore calf, I think the number one thing you’ll see is people will not ... play. It doesn’t matter if they get cleared medically. They will say, ‘I’m not 100% so there’s no way I’m doing it.’ It was starting to happen over the last year, but I think with what’s gone on is that any player who doesn’t feel 100% in the calves, or in their calf, is not going to play. That would be my bet.”
The NBA had already convened a panel of experts to study Achilles tendon injuries even before Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton ruptured his in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday night. The league had seven known Achilles injuries this season - Pacers forwards James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson, New Orleans guard Dejounte Murray and Miami guard Dru Smith had them in the regular season, and Boston's Jayson Tatum, Milwaukee's Damian Lillard and Haliburton were hurt in the playoffs. Silver, speaking to ESPN as part of its NBA draft coverage, said there weren't any in the NBA in the previous season. "We had already convened a panel of experts before Tyrese's most recent Achilles rupture," Silver said on the telecast. "We had seven this year. We had zero last year under the exact same circumstances. The most we've ever had in a season is four."
Ira Winderman: The Heat have extended the required $8.7M '25-26 qualifying offer to Davion Mitchell to make him restricted free agent. They also have extended a two-way qualifying offer to Dru Smith. No similar offer to Isaiah Stevens. Only decision remaining by Sunday deadline is Duncan Robinson player option.
On April 27, Milwaukee guard Damian Lillard suffered a torn left Achilles tendon in a Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Lillard’s injury was the fifth NBA player on a standard contract to sustain the injury since rookie DaRon Holmes II went down in Summer League on July 12, 2024. Unfortunately, another name was added to the list as Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles late in Monday’s Game 4 loss to the Knicks. The six Achilles tendon tears suffered this season marks a new high for the devastating injury, passing the previous record of five set during the 2014-2015 season. Even worse, this lofty total doesn’t include the torn Achilles of Miami two-way guard Dru Smith or unrestricted free agent Thanasis Antetokounmpo who was injured in the offseason.
But if the money goes well above $10 million — in full midlevel exception range — then it’s probably wise to wish Mitchell luck elsewhere and hope that Dru Smith replicates what he displayed in November before his torn Achilles. If this roster returns as is (unlikely) and Miami uses Golden State’s pick at 20 instead of trading it, the Heat would be a tax team again if it gives Mitchell more than $4 million or so. But the Heat would have until next April to get below the tax to avoid triggering the especially punitive repeater tax.
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Anthony Chiang: Tyler Herro is listed as questionable for tomorrow's game with a right thigh contusion. Haywood Highsmith also questionable with Achilles soreness. Heat remains without Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, Kevin Love and Dru Smith.
Anthony Chiang: Heat will remain without Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson, Kevin Love, Nikola Jovic and Dru Smith for tomorrow's game in Boston. Davion Mitchell, who missed last night's win with a stomach illness, is not on the injury report.
Anthony Chiang: Heat remains without Duncan Robinson, Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, Kevin Love and Dru Smith for tomorrow’s game vs. Wizards. Alec Burks is probable with lower back discomfort.
Ira Winderman: Alec Burks (back) available for Heat tonight. Out: Andrew Wiggins (hamstring), Duncan Robinson (back), Nikola Jovic (hand), Kevin Love (personal), Dru Smith (Achilles). Everyone else available in Philadelphia.
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Anthony Chiang: Heat will remain without Alec Burks (lower back strain), Josh Christopher (G League), Nikola Jovic (broken right hand) and Dru Smith (Achilles surgery) for tomorrow's home game vs. Celtics. Rest of Heat's roster expected to be available tomorrow.
Anthony Chiang: Heat remains without Josh Christopher (G League), Nikola Jovic (broken hand) and Dru Smith (Achilles) for tomorrow's home game vs. Clippers. Alec Burks (lower back strain) questionable. Terry Rozier (illness) listed as probable. Rest of Heat roster expected to be available.
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