Nikola Jovic, a Miami Heat rookie, has had little opportunities this season, but he has had some promising moments.
He has clearly demonstrated enough to persuade some NBA observers that he could play minutes as a surprise weapon in the playoffs.
“Some around the league believe Jovic could garner more minutes down the stretch run and maybe even as a surprise weapon in the playoffs,” writes Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports.
Jovic has only appeared in 22 games, 14 of which have been starts. He’s had several standout efforts, like a recent 24-point effort against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Overall this season, he’s averaging 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 43.0 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from beyond the arc. He’s averaging 16.5 minutes per contest.
A couple of executives around the NBA made some very interesting comments to Heavy Sports about Jovic.
“It is not like teams put out a list and say, ‘OK, here’s who is untouchable and here is touchable,’” an Eastern Conference executive said. “That’s not how it works. But anyone who asked about Jovic, it was a pretty firm no. They have never been looking to move him. He has been a near-touchable, at least.”
Jovic, 20, is in his second NBA season.
“They could change their roster going forward, but what you’ve got to understand is, if they do, they’re going to change with him moving up in the rotation, not him moving out,” a Western Conference executive said. “Ask around, anyone who has asked about including Nikola Jovic in any kind of deals, there’s never been any real talk involving him.
“I don’t know when. I am sure the kid would like to know when, his people want to know when. But eventually, he is going to be a starter for them and a good one.”
Despite the fact that he is constantly mentioned in trade rumors, it appears that the Heat may have a long-term player in Jovic. After all, Miami used a first-round pick on him for a purpose, and the team is probably still figuring out what he brings to the table. Jovic has appeared in only 37 regular-season games in his NBA career.
If he emerges as a surprise weapon in the playoffs, the Heat will be ecstatic. During postseason runs, the organization occasionally receives help from unusual heroes, and Jovic could be the next.
He did play in seven postseason games last season, but his playing time was so minimal that he’s probably still oblivious of how the
