Miami Heat Make Contract Moves for Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic

[{"selector":"#anim-e704f1ca-daab-4e2c-9930-e277ba4ee148 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-53.373067118084194%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Despite having poor draft picks, the Miami Heat have excelled at finding the right talent in recent years.

[{"selector":"#anim-70de5cfe-1fef-4019-b6c3-dacf402912e1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Jaime Jaquez Jr. was 18th overall in 2023. He made NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. A bright future awaits the 23-year-old.

[{"selector":"#anim-e3ec0697-fe46-45d1-82da-6c566d664f6a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.18585516719828%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] After being drafted 27th overall last year, Nikola Jovic is expected to be the Heat's starting power forward next season.

[{"selector":"#anim-0f3b6c4c-6c02-42d7-a4e4-7d6ed5f574e1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-8.930550176096482%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The Heat will likely strive to win immediately to maximize Jimmy Butler's time in South Beach, whether it's one year or more. I haven't felt that this offseason.

[{"selector":"#anim-a824a37d-f390-4633-93ab-e32fbc4bfcb4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-1.9337947085310532%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Instead, the Heat seem willing to keep their squad despite Butler's potential free agency next year.

[{"selector":"#anim-424ee82f-e341-4cc7-bce9-1ea553df9544 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports that the Heat have exercised Jaquez and Jovic's contract options. The contracts run until 2025-26. They have till October 31 to choose rookie-scale choices for both.

[{"selector":"#anim-be61e71b-bcec-46cf-8d4c-78e20d702bfc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The Heat picked up Jaquez's $3.9 million rookie contract third-year option for 2025-26. The team will reconsider his fourth-year option next offseason.

[{"selector":"#anim-d6037fa4-60d0-489b-b96f-843f3c56e945 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.18585516719828%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] However, Jovic's rookie contract's $4.4 million fourth-year option was picked up for 2025-26.