Nikola Jovic is now enjoying his second season with the Miami Heat but he would love to play even more.
Speaking with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Jovic opened up a bit about how being a member of the Heat feels hit-or-miss for him.
“Either I start or I don’t play. It’s wild,” Jovic told Ira Winderman.
He continued: “I mean I want to play. Playing is the most important thing. But I feel like as long as they believe in me and I believe in them, it’s going to work out.”
Nikola Jovic rolling with his Heat reality, "Either I start or I don't play. It's wild." https://t.co/esNYk3KTu8 "I mean I want to play. Playing is the most important thing. But I feel like as long as they believe in me and I believe in them, it’s going to work out."
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) February 20, 2024
Jovic has played for an average of 16.5 minutes per game this season and has started in 14 of his 22 games.
However, he has indeed sat out of numerous games throughout 2023-24 as other players on the roster have been given more minutes and opportunities than him.
For the season, he is averaging 6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.
The Heat have a number of experienced veterans and a deep roster, which means that head coach Erik Spoelstra doesn’t always make time for the second-year star.
In fact, there has been a lot of speculation about Jovic possibly leaving the Heat in the near future.
During the summer when the team was pursuing Daman Lillard, numerous reports said that Jovic could be on the trading block in order to land the star.
In the end, he remained with the Heat but it’s clear that the team doesn’t always have room for him.
What does that mean for his future?
Will he continue to experience a mix of starting in some games and not playing at all or will he be shipped out to another team where he can shine and get more time on the court?
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