A report from Serbian outlet Meridian Sport (hat tip to Eurohoops) suggests that forward Nikola Jovic suffered a fracture in his ankle joint in the spring, but the Heat continue to refer to Jovic’s injury – which he sustained last month during a drill at Kaseya Center – as a left ankle sprain and a fractured toe, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald.
According to Chiang, the injury has improved in recent weeks and the Heat expect the former first-round pick to be available when training camps tip off this fall. However, Jovic’s status for the Olympics remains up in the air.
The Heat haven’t ruled out the possibility of medically clearing Jovic prior to the Olympics, a league source tells Chiang, but that clearance hasn’t happened yet. And even if the team does clear him, the Serbian basketball federation will make the final decision on Jovic’s status for the Paris Games, Chiang adds.
According to Meridian Sport, Jovic didn’t travel with the Serbian national team for its exhibition games in France (on July 12) and in Abu Dhabi (vs. Australia and the U.S. on July 16-17).
Here’s more on the Heat:
- In a separate story for The Miami Herald, Chiang examines what it means for the Heat’s roster that they withdrew their qualifying offers to Cole Swider and Alondes Williams. As Chiang details, Miami doesn’t have room under the second tax apron to add a 15th man at this point, but could still rotate players in and out of its two-way contract slots. While the Heat aren’t technically hard-capped at the second apron, they’ve made it clear they have no desire to surpass that threshold unless it’s to acquire a star player.
- The Heat made an early playoff exit this spring and haven’t done much to upgrade their roster this summer, but they still believe they’re capable of contending if they stay healthy, writes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Jackson isn’t so sure, arguing that Miami isn’t among the top tier of Eastern Conference teams and making the case that the front office should at least consider the possibility of a Jimmy Butler trade before the season begins.
- Second-year forward Jaime Jaquez isn’t concerned about the Heat’s relatively quiet offseason, suggesting that the front office’s lack of major moves reflects its confidence in the current group — and in the team’s developmental prowess. “I think when you look at what they’ve been doing in the offseason, they’re betting on the guys that they’ve brought in here, guys that they have drafted,” Jaquez said this week, according to Chiang. “As a player, you got to respect that and you want to make good on their bets. Betting on us, so it’s our job, especially us younger guys like myself and (Jovic), to step up into these roles and take that challenge. I think we’re both ready for it.”
- Jaquez, who is on the Heat’s Summer League roster in Las Vegas, added that he’s going to work on improving his “leadership skills” this month.
Heat kids need to step up… if Heat are viable at the All-Star break, they’ll keep Butler, if not they move him at the trade deadline..
Butler should retire a Heat …..,
I’m a Heat fan with BUTLER’S Jersey in 3 colors… Red/ white/ Black… hope he retires in Heat uniform… He’s going to have to work with Heat like Brunson did with the Knicks contract wise below max… if BUTLER’S team works with Heat on contract AND JIMMY plays 65-70 regular season games, he’ll stay with Heat…which would be awesome…
Celtics can afford $30m contracts to half their roster but heat can’t afford a QO for Alondes Williams?
Hope Swider sticks around ……. but I get choosing Keshad, Zyon over him and Alondes. Keshad looks great, so far.
Somebody from the HEAT staff liking Dru Smith that much.
Dru Smith would be on a regular contract if he was healthy, they weren’t at that first apron, or if they trade multiple guys for 1. He’s great to have after losing Caleb, and with Richardson coming off the shoulder injury
When MIA has been good the last few years, it’s been all about Butler. They have other good players, but the payroll to reflect it. If and when, and by whatever means, Butler leaves MIA, they don’t have a quick path to replace him. Not from within or via free agency or trade. The free agent market that netted them a 30 year old Butler no longer exists. Their trade assets can be bested by other teams that are almost certain to pursue any star that they do. In short, I see him staying there, even if each side would prefer more drama.