Heat just sent wildly mixed message about their direction

Toronto Raptors v Miami Heat | Rich Storry/GettyImagesThe Miami Heat are signing familiar face Dru Smith to a three-year deal on the heels of trading Haywood Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets in a salary dump. If you find yourself confused, well, you're not alone. Miami continues to send mixed messages about its intentions for next season, and ranks among the league's most unpredictable teams as a result.

Are the Heat trying to compete in the wide-open Eastern Conference on the back of admittedly enviable depth? Does their intent to duck the tax now despite having all season to do it imply they’re leaning into a gap year? Is this all about preserving financial flexibility and assets for a run…