"The 22-year-old is extension-eligible right now. If he and the Heat fail to reach an agreement, he will enter restricted free agency over the 2026 offseason. And while Miami would have the right to match any offer, next year's cap-space landscape is frothier than we're seeing now. Another team could come in with a contract proposal that forces the Heat into a tough decision."
"All of this can and should and must be avoided. Despite never appearing in more than 46 games, Jovic has shown too much offensive upside for Miami to treat as expendable. He is the team's most bankable frontcourt floor-spacer, making him mission critical to optimizing Bam Adebayo's body of work inside the arc until or unless Kel'el Ware's efficiency from deep improves."
"Letting Jovic enter restricted free agency is better for the Heat if they want to carve out cap space over the 2026 offseason. His placeholder salary next summer until he signs a new deal clocks in at $13.3 million. Any extension would likely pay him more. It could behoove Miami to wait on paying him, go about its business using his cap hold next year, and then re-up him after that."
Nikola Jovic is extension-eligible now; failure to agree would make him a restricted free agent in the 2026 offseason, with Miami able to match any offer. Next year's cap landscape will be more favorable for other teams to present offer sheets that could pressure Miami into a difficult decision. Jovic's offensive upside and floor-spacing make him vital to maximizing Bam Adebayo's inside production until Kel'el Ware improves his deep efficiency. The Heat can choose to let Jovic reach restricted free agency to preserve cap space, since his 2026 cap hold would be about $13.3 million, and then re-sign him later.
Read at All U Can Heat
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