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Miami Heat’s Nikola Jovic hopes to build on big summer

By Wes Goldberg

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 21: Nikola Jovic #5 of the Miami Heat looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on November 21, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Heat 105-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 21: Nikola Jovic #5 of the Miami Heat looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on November 21, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Heat 105-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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In advance of the start of training camp on Oct. 3, AllUCanHeat is analyzing the Miami Heat player-by-player. This installment focuses on Nikola Jovic, who could be the Heat’s biggest surprise this season.

This has been the summer Nikola Jovic needed. Coming off a rookie season derailed by a back injury, Jovic has made up for lost time as a key figure of the Miami Heat’s summer league team and with the Serbian national team in the FIBA World Cup.

At 6-foot-11, Jovic possesses a tantalizing offensive skillset. His combination of touch, playmaking and size are what made the 20-year-old Miami’s first-round pick a year ago. Though he was limited to 15 NBA games as a rookie, he has put those skills on display this summer.

On Serbia’s experienced World Cup team that includes NBA player Bogdan Bogdanovic and several veteran teammates, Jovic has been a featured part of the offense and has played among the most minutes on the team. His best World Cup performance came when he scored 25 points on a perfect 9 of 9 shooting (5 of 5 on 3s) in an Aug. 30 win over South Sudan.

This, after Jovic averaged 15 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 40% in four summer league games in July.

After this summer, Jovic will attempt to build on this experience and earn a spot in the Heat’s rotation. He will be competing with Kevin Love, Caleb Martin and Haywood Highsmith for minutes at power forward, and though his floor might be lower than any of his competition, his ceiling is higher.

If Jovic can apply the shooting, playmaking and defensive awareness he’s shown this summer in October’s training camp and preseason, he has a chance to make an impact and perhaps even start games alongside Bam Adebayo.

Complicating matters is Jovic’s potential inclusion in a Damian Lillard trade. After a promising summer, it would not be surprising if the Portland Trail Blazers demanded Jovic be part of any Lillard trade package.

Jovic is aware of the rumors, but he also knows that part of the business is out of his control. All he can do is work on his game and set himself up for a bounce-back second season. So far, that’s what he’s done.

Nikola Jovic

Position: Forward
Ht./Wt.: 6-10/205
College: N/A
Years pro: 1
2022-23: 5.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 13.6 minutes per game
Contract status: In second year of four-year, $11.5 million deal ($2.3 million this season)

Next. Jaime Jaquez Jr.. dark

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