Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra says the organization is pushing Nikola Jovic to adopt a steadier, more professional daily approach in order to become a reliable contributor, according to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Jovic, who inked a four-year, $62.4MM rookie scale extension before the start of the season, has continued to battle the inconsistency that has followed him since entering the league.
Even this year, the 22-year-old forward has mixed stretches of impressive all-around play with outings where he hasn’t made much of an impact.
Spoelstra explained that Jovic’s mindset and preparation are at the center of the team’s message.
“When he plays with a force of will and an intention, it’s always starting with him, and an approach every day, to approach a practice day and a shootaround and a film session like it’s really important,” Spoelstra said.
He noted that Jovic is improving, but still has room to grow.
“He’s made improvements with that. It’s still not where it needs to be, because he’s young and doesn’t see that it’s always important. But he’s getting there.”
For Spoelstra, the biggest challenge now is consistency. He believes Jovic’s upside becomes clear whenever he locks in fully.
“And then it’s a matter of consistency. But you can see the possibilities when he has that intention and things are important to him.”
Heat Notes: Jovic, Wiggins, Bam, Herro, Ware https://t.co/5Xy3ydHdUU pic.twitter.com/ADHxV0wo1c
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) November 15, 2025
