Heat’s Nikola Jovic eager to finalize four-year, $62.4M extension
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Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic said Thursday he is “blessed” as he waits to sign a four-year, $62.4 million rookie-scale extension that has been agreed to but is not yet official.
“I feel good,” the 22-year-old Serb told reporters after practice. “I’m happy this ownership and organization sees the talent and the work I put in. I’ll give my everything to make this contract worth a lot more.”
Jovic, the 27th pick in the 2022 draft, added that the pending deal shows the club’s faith in him. “They respect me and they want me here, so I got a little extra boost knowing I can show what I can do,” he said.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra and assistant general manager Adam Simon traveled to Serbia this summer while Jovic prepared for EuroBasket 2025, a visit the forward said reinforced his connection to the franchise.
Injury updates
Kasparas Jakucionis, Miami’s 2025 first-round pick, sat out Thursday with a left wrist sprain. X-rays were negative, and the team does not expect an extended absence.
Veteran guard Terry Rozier missed practice after straining his left hamstring Tuesday. He anticipates returning next week, and multiple reports indicate the injury is not serious.
Spotlight on Kelel Ware
Spoelstra said the Heat are pushing second-year center Kelel Ware hard during his second training camp. The coach praised Ware’s effort but emphasized that no starting job will be handed to the 21-year-old. “He’s learning our standards and the head coach’s standards,” Spoelstra said. “Is he there yet? No. Does he show signs? Yes.”
Dragic expected to rejoin franchise
Former Heat guard Goran Dragic is expected to take a formal role with the organization at a later date. Dragic worked with Jakucionis during Tuesday’s practice before returning to Europe. Spoelstra said the 2014 All-Star could contribute as a mentor, in scouting, and in other areas.
Cap outlook
The Heat project to have virtually no salary-cap space next summer if Andrew Wiggins exercises his $30.2 million player option for 2026/27. Jovic’s extension has minimal impact on that projection because his cap hold would have been similar to the first year of the new deal, which begins in 2026.
Source: HoopsRumors
