Heat sign Nikola Jovic to 4-year, $62.4M rookie extension

Forward Nikola Jovic has agreed to a four-year, $62.4 million rookie extension with the Miami Heat, his agents at Excel Sports Management told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday night. The deal is fully guaranteed, securing the 22-year-old’s future in Miami after being selected with the No. 27 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Jovic has appeared in 107 of 246 possible games for the Heat, with last season marking a career-high 10.7 points per game. His year was cut short after a broken hand in February, limiting him to 46 games, but he returned in the playoffs and averaged 9.5 points in 18.5 minutes across four games against Cleveland. That run included a 24-point performance in Game 4, his top scoring output of the season. Following a strong summer stint with the Serbian national team, the Heat believes Jovic’s role will continue to expand.

Coach Erik Spoelstra praised Jovic’s development, noting his improved professionalism and maturity while competing with veteran teammates on Serbia’s roster. Jovic, who made his Heat debut at 19 years, 139 days old, remains the second-youngest player in franchise history, behind only Dorell Wright in 2005.