BOCA RATON — A day after agreeing to a four-year, $62.4 million contract extension, Miami Warmth ahead Nikola Jovic stated Thursday that cash received’t change the person.
“I really feel I’m going to be the identical individual I used to be coming in,” he stated after the Warmth accomplished their third day of coaching camp at Florida Atlantic College.
However Jovic additionally stated the dedication from the staff was significant on a private stage.
“It simply exhibits they respect me they usually need me right here,” he stated, about to start his fourth season after arriving because the No. 27 choose within the 2022 NBA draft out of Serbia. “So I received slightly additional increase understanding that I can present what I can do. So simple as that. I’m nonetheless going to do my factor and attempt to be one of the best participant as potential.”
From an 18-year-old neophyte to, now, a 22-year-old contending for a beginning function, Jovic stated the job now feels as very like household as work.
“Them coming to Serbia and seeing me, assembly my household, I felt like part of the household,” he stated of a visit in August by coach Erik Spoelstra and his employees. “That’s the second the place, ‘OK, I really feel like these guys actually respect me.’
“I’m completely happy this possession and this group sees the expertise and sees the work I put in, and I’ll be sure that and provides my all the things to make this contract price much more.”
The Warmth entered coaching camp with an Oct. 20 deadline for extensions with Jovic and guard Tyler Herro. Herro is eligible for a three-year, $150 million extension, with that window opening Tuesday. Jovic had been extension eligible since July 1.
Jovic is due $4.5 million this season as the ultimate yr of his rookie scale deal. Had he not agreed to an extension by his Oct. 20 deadline — the day earlier than the beginning of the 2025-26 NBA common season — he would have been a restricted free agent subsequent summer time.
With a capability to play as a playmaker and out of doors shooter at 6 toes 10, Jovic has harassed a need to play once more as a starter this season, having closed final season as a reserve. That perseverance, he stated, is not going to dissipate.
“I really feel prefer it’s actually essential to remain humble and know the place you come from and understand how onerous you labored for these issues,” he stated.
Jovic final season appeared in 46 video games, making 10 begins, averaging 10.7 factors on .456 capturing from the sphere, 3.9 rebounds and a couple of.8 assists, in 25.1 minutes per recreation. He additionally missed 30 video games on account of damage, lacking the ultimate 27 with a damaged proper hand.
“I felt like final yr, earlier than I received injured, I actually felt like I can assist this staff win. From there, even after the damage, I felt like they knew what I carry. They know what I can carry to the desk and the way I can assist this staff win.”
In all, he has appeared in 107 common season video games over his NBA profession, making 56 begins. averaging 8.7 factors, 3.8 rebounds and a couple of.2 assists in 21.1 minutes per recreation.
Jovic turns into the fifth participant from the 2022 draft class this offseason to signal an extension, becoming a member of the Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero (No. 1 choose), the Houston Rockets’ Jabari Smith (No. 3) and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder’s Chet Holmgren (No. 2) and Jalen Williams (No. 12).
Jovic now stands as considered one of 9 Warmth gamers locked into contracts for the 2026-27 season, becoming a member of Herro, Bam Adebayo, Davion Mitchell, Kasparas Jakucionis, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Pelle Larsson and Dru Smith. As well as, Andrew Wiggins holds a participant choice for 2026-27.
Due to the dramatic soar in Jovic’s wage a yr from now, his contract turns into topic to the league’s poison-pill provision, making a commerce much less seemingly this coming season.
All of which is ok, he stated, with Jovic having planted roots in South Florida.
“This truly is my second house,” he stated. “I’ve by no means been anyplace else, in Belgrade, Serbia, and now right here. I really feel nice right here. This yr, I truly missed Miami for the primary time. Perhaps sooner or later I truly finish residing right here. Who is aware of?”
Jakucionis sidelined
Jakucionis was held off form Thursday on account of a sprained left wrist. An MRI on June’s first-round select of Illinois got here again destructive.
The Warmth conclude their four-day FAU camp Friday earlier than leaving for Puerto Rico, the place they’ll play their preseason opener Saturday evening in opposition to the Orlando Magic, the beginning of a six-game exhibition schedule.
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