Miami’s heat is uniquely positioned to enter the 2025-26 NBA season.
They have stars in Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. So, they’re still in Win-Now mode, but they’re rich in young talent.
The Miami Heat’s immediate championship window was effectively closed when Jimmy Butler traded for the Golden State Warriors at the trading deadline last season.
The heat has brought Norman Powell this offseason, but they are not expected to be a major threat to the East. So it makes sense for Miami to prioritize player development and maximize all the young talent on the roster.
One of the players who have a fever from the crops of young talent is Nicola Jovic.
Jovic scored a big payday on the heat as he signed a four-year $62.4 million rookie extension with the team.
The heat that gives Jovic this contract shows how much they believe in him in their long-term plans.
Brian Windhorst has appeared on the Hoop Collective Podcast, and said Jovic is the player targeted for trade debate.
“He was a player that was requested during the trade debate over the past year or so, and they resisted trading him. They clearly like his advantages.
“He’s their role player at the moment. When the heat spends money and spends money on their books, it’s just interesting.”
Windhorst is skeptical of the heat that gives Jovic this type of deal, but Tim Bontemps likes Jovic’s deal.
He believes Jovic is lined up nicely next to Adebayo as the four, and said the deal could look spectacular in a few months.
“When I see him next to Bam Adebayo, as four people, this is the perfect deal for Miami.
“This is a deal that has lots of benefits due to the heat, and as one of the better deals in the league, we may be talking about this within three or four months next season.
“When the Heat is talking about why they spend this money, this could be a backup contract starter.”
Jovic showed signs of progress with Serbia in the summer during the Eurobasket tournament.
Jovic’s numbers have increased each season since the draft. This is a good sign. During the 2024-25 season, Jovic averaged 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists for 46 games.