The Miami Heat have made a groundbreaking decision by announcing their choices on the rookie scale team options for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. It’s always a pivotal moment when a team decides to exercise the provisions for their young, promising talents, and the Heat did just that for Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr., as reported by the ever-reliable Tim Robbins of The Associated Press.
Jovic, a 6-10 power forward, underwent quite the transformation last season. Starting off in the G-League and battling through a rookie campaign plagued with injuries, the 21-year-old worked his way up to become a valuable rotational player for the Heat. In 46 games, with 36 starts under his belt, Jovic averaged 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. Shooting 39.9% from beyond the arc, he proved to be a versatile threat on the court.
His standout performance came during the Heat’s lone playoff win against Boston in Game 2. Jovic notched up 11 points, shooting an impressive 4 of 5 from the field, including 3 of 4 from deep. Adding nine rebounds, six assists, and three steals to his stat line in just 24 minutes, Jovic showcased his potential as a rising star in the making.
With the decision to extend Jovic’s contract, he is now set to earn a guaranteed $4.4 million for the upcoming season. This extension also sets him up for future opportunities, making him eligible for a rookie extension next offseason and potentially a restricted free agent in 2027 if an extension agreement is not reached.
On the other hand, Jaquez had a stellar rookie season that caught the attention of many. Selected as the No. 18 overall pick in the 2024 draft, the 22-year-old forward’s achievements landed him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie first team. Averaging 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steals, Jaquez proved to be a versatile player on both ends of the court.
Despite his impressive stats, Jaquez did face some challenges, particularly in his shooting percentages. Struggling from the perimeter, he managed to connect on just 23.1% of his attempts from 16 feet to the 3-point line and 32.2% from beyond the arc. However, his overall performance earned him a fourth-place finish in the Rookie of the Year voting and a ninth-place finish in the 6th Man of the Year ranking.
As the Miami Heat solidify their roster with the extensions of Jovic and Jaquez, fans can expect to witness the ongoing development of these young talents in the seasons to come. The future looks bright for the Heat as they pave the way for their promising youngsters to shine on the big stage of the NBA.
