Miami Heat Sign Young Forward To A Four-Year Extension

The Miami Heat may not have the stars that they once did, but heading into the 2025–26 campaign, they're full of confidence that this group can lead them back into the NBA Playoffs. One of the keys to that young core is former No. 27 overall pick Nikola Jovic, whom the team has been developing and gradually integrating into its system over the past three seasons.

Back in the 2022 NBA Draft, he was seen as a major project, but in 2024–25, he showed just how much talent he has at the next level. In 46 games, he averaged 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in 25 minutes per game, a solid performance that highlights how good he can be in the league.

Now, Miami has shown its commitment to the young forward, officially inking him to a four-year extension that will pay him a total of $62.4 million.

Once again, his role is expected to elevate heading into the 2025–26 season. While he may begin the year off the bench with Kel’el Ware starting the center role, the Heat haven’t ruled out giving Jović minutes at the four throughout the season.

Unlike other rookie extensions that have taken place in recent years, it appears as though Jovic is getting paid very fairly rather than the team overpaying based on his upside, and if he can develop, the Heat may have found themselves a long-term piece for their rotation.