Miami Heat: Even if small, Nikola Jovic’s versatility could facilitate role

The Miami Heat might’ve stumbled upon something in the latest NBA Draft. Falling to them at 27, Nikola Jovic might have the tools to become something special for them.

Speaking of those tools, Jovic has played a more perimeter-oriented game for most of his career it seems. The key is that he is, of course, a near 7-footer.

While that could instantly continue right into the league, there could also be that period of transition for the rookie where he, not only, has to adjust for the skill level and physicality of the game, but the athleticism and speed of it as well. These are all typical rookie growing pains.

However and fortunate for, both, the Miami Heat and Jovic, he could be as versatile a player as they might come in today’s NBA. He is, as stated, nearly 7-foot at 6’10”.

The Miami Heat don’t exactly know what they have in Nikola Jovic, yet. However, his versatility could garner a rookie role while they are figuring it out.

While you never confuse him with Tim Hardaway or Allen Iverson when it comes to his ability to handle the basketball, he is a very capable ball handler and especially at his size. He isn’t a magnificent athlete, by any means, but he isn’t terrible in that aspect either.

The guy can shoot it when he gets going and he isn’t afraid to embrace a little contact in the paint or at the rim. Again, these were all things said about immediately surrounding the draft and as we saw him get his first taste of Miami Heat action in Summer League.

So, what’s the point of it all now? Well, as things inch closer and closer to the ramp-up for the coming season, you begin to take inventory of what the Miami Heat have done.

While they have been in the market for another star guy, they haven’t gotten one. And while they have a few options they should be willing to try at power forward, should they not bring another guy in, they still have to certainly go about figuring out how to fill the P.J. Tucker void.

That’s where everything comes to that final thought. Without a surefire replacement for the bulk of the power forward minutes right now, with the lack of movement on the trade market, with Jovic’s unique physical profile, and versatile skillset—it wouldn’t be a shock to see him have a role as soon as this season in Coach Spo’s rotation.

Now, that’s provided the Heat don’t shock the world, land a whale, and have to trade Jovic in the process. But if that doesn’t happen, for the aforementioned reasons and even if a small one, Nikola Jovic’s versatility could facilitate a role this coming season.