While winning the summer league championship was a boon for the Heat‘s development system, reality’s soon to set in on which of their pieces will actually be factors in the regular season rotation, Ira Winderman of South Florida’s Sun Sentinel writes. The Heat have differed in their approach to playing time for their young players over the years, taking a more patient approach to developing Bam Adebayo but inserting Jaime Jaquez into the rotation right away.
In Winderman’s view, Nikola Jovic and Jaquez will almost certainly be shouldering heavy minutes, while rookies Kel’el Ware and Pelle Larsson might take more time to break in to the rotation.
In a separate article, Winderman evaluates what to expect this season from Jovic, who averaged 9.5 points on .476/.390/.815 shooting after being named a full-time starter last year. As the Heat prepare for the possibility of life post-Jimmy Butler, Jovic is one of their key pieces moving forward.
We have more from the Heat:
- With Jovic and Jaquez both having their rookie-scale options picked up, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald evaluates the state of the future roster. The Heat currently have 10 players under contract for 2025/26 and that number would increase to 11 if Butler picks up his player option.
- The Heat are holding training camp at Baha Mar in the Bahamas from Oct. 1-5, according to a team release. The club will travel following media day on Sept. 30 and the camp will not be available for public viewing.
- Terry Rozier might benefit from having a full offseason to work with the Heat after being acquired at the trade deadline. Winderman writes in a mailbag that he isn’t sure it will have an impact on the guard’s role with the team. Rozier struggled in his first 10 games with the Heat, averaging 12.6 points and 35.9% shooting. However, he settled in and averaged 19.0 points on 45.2% shooting over his next 20 outings.
Look forward to Heat season as developmental, depending how Jimmy Butler’s extension OR free agency plays out… At mid season trade deadline, Jimmy will be moved or situation resolved one way or the other…we’ll see….
Jimmy’s contract isn’t easy to move. A contender who wants him needs 48 million in inessential assets.
Bucks could do it for some combo of Middleton and either Portis or Lopez. Doesn’t really move the needle for Miami. Maybe Cleveland? Would have to move Garland and either Strus or Niang. I think Cleveland would hang up immediately.
Pels could do BI and Herb Jones? Solves their BI problem and Miami gets 2 solid wings to still try and compete with Bam and Herro… could be interesting especially if both teams are desperate for a move in February.
Bucks 2 nd apron cant aggregate salaries in a trade
* Herb jones has one of tho the best contracts in the NBA , not getting traded for a 1/2 yr of somebody
Jimmy retiring as a Heat. Nothing to see here..