The Miami Heat have had an up-and-down season thus far. Many fans, myself included, want to see the younger players get more playing time. This season feels reminiscent of previous ones, with Miami once again fighting to avoid the play-in tournament. It seems they are heading in that direction again. This should be the season when the Heat focus on developing their young talent and allow them to learn from their mistakes. The team's future is uncertain, and they need to determine who will be part of it and who won't.
Stock up: Nikola Jovic ⬆️
Nikola Jovic is coming off one of his best games of the season. He scored 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and recorded six assists in Sunday's victory over the Rockets. Jovic excels at attacking the rim and showcased his passing skills during the game. He has been performing better while coming off the bench, playing more freely and bringing energy to the team. Against the Rockets, Jovic demonstrated his skills by making some beautiful passes that led to open three-point shots.
Jovic is more of a creator than many people realize. He is one of the few players on the roster who can rebound and take the ball the length of the court. Recently, Jovic has improved his shooting, hitting 9 of 18 attempts in the last five games. It's great to see him showcasing his complete skill set.
Jovic deserves consistent playing time moving forward. He should be considered a key part of Miami's future. Whether he comes off the bench or earns a spot in the starting lineup, Jovic needs to be a core member of the team. It’s rare to find players with Jovic's skill set.
Stock down: Jamie Jaquez Jr. ⬇️
Jamie Jaquez Jr. has had a tough year. It's unclear if Jaquez is still recovering from his groin injury or experiencing a sophomore slump.
As this season began, there was considerable excitement surrounding Jaquez as a potential dark-horse candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award. He was coming off an impressive rookie year, which earned him a spot on the All-Rookie First Team. Additionally, he had a productive summer, participating in the USA Select Team that scrimmaged against the Gold Medal-winning USA Olympic Team. The anticipation heading into this season was palpable.
Unfortunately, Jaquez's performance on the court has been inconsistent from game to game. He is currently struggling with his shooting from beyond the arc, making only 23% of his attempts this season. Additionally, he is having difficulty finishing at the rim, whereas last season, attacking the rim was one of his strengths.
Jaquez is in a difficult position in the rotation. He does not provide floor spacing and is struggling to finish at the rim. Defensively, Jaquez puts in effort but is not recognized as a strong defender.
Jaquez could be a part of Miami's future if he shows improvement. He should play better. At the same time, if Miami wants to make a win-now move, Jaquez could be involved in a trade in a potential deal. If Miami wants a slight upgrade this season, involving Jaquez in a deal makes sense.
Stock up: Kel'el Ware ⬆️
Since the start of the season, many fans have been eager to see Ware in the rotation. Unlike other teams that often play their rookies simply because they are high draft picks, the Miami Heat require all players to earn their minutes. This has been true for Ware early in the season. Many have questioned Erik Spoelstra for not giving Ware an opportunity in the rotation.
It's still early in the season, but Spoelstra's decision to sit Ware initially seems to be paying off. While Ware has made some mistakes on the court, it's important for him as a rookie to learn by playing through those errors. Overall, Ware has performed well as a roller and consistently catches an alley-oop, doing so seemingly at least twice a game.
Ware still needs to improve his strength, as he often gets pushed around when battling for rebounds. Most of his rebounds come from his height rather than physicality. While he is capable of blocking shots at the rim, he needs to work on maintaining his balance and staying on his feet, a challenge he also faced in college. Offensively, Ware has the potential to do more, but for now, it’s best for him to focus on rolling to the basket and occasionally hitting open three-pointers.
Ware plays between 10-14 minutes per game, which should continue until he takes another step in his development. The Miami team should keep developing Ware and allow him to play through his mistakes.