The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat">Miami Heat</a> had an impressive run in the 2023 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> playoffs, but they came up short against the Nuggets. Since <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/damian-lillard">Damian Lillard</a> requested a trade out of Portland, Pat Riley has been trying to upgrade the lineup with the veteran guard.



Dame is reportedly keen on joining the Heat, where he would have a legitimate chance to challenge for an elusive ring next to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. The problem is the Blazers aren’t giving in so easily.



With the Heat unwilling to negotiate their two stars, the question is what kind of package they’d need to offer to satisfy Portland. Tyler Herro is expected to be part of any potential deal, but just in case, Nikola Jovic is letting the team know he doesn’t want out.



<h2>Nikola Jovic sends message to Heat amid Lillard negotiations</h2>



“It’s basketball. Of course I’d love to be in Miami, those guys are great and they helped me a lot,” Jovic said, via Christos Tsaltas. “I would really love to stay with them and compete in basketball and as a person because they are unbelievable. What happens, happens. I hope I stay there. That’s all.”


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Selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Jovic is still a young player with plenty of time to fulfill his potential. Miami has been taking him slowly with the hopes of seeing him blossom into a star. But if trading Jovic is what it takes to land Lillard, the Heat probably won’t hesitate to do so.

Not Tyler Herro: Heat player says he wants to stay amid Lillard rumors - Bolavip US

It's not Tyler Herro: Heat player says he wants to stay amid Damian Lillard rumors

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Making the transition from the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/lebron-james-puts-speculation-to-rest-and-updates-his-son-bronny-choice-for-college-20220817-0001.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NCAA</a> or <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-teams-most-likely-to-get-victor-wembanyama-in-the-nba-draft-20221006-0026.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">playing overseas</a> to the NBA isn’t easy. Besides bulking up and adding muscle, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-paolo-banchero-clinches-a-new-record-as-a-rookie-20221030-0050.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rookies need to embrace</a> a different lifestyle and get ready for the burden of an 82-game season.
That’s why so many rookies kind of hit a wall mid-season, as they’re completely exhausted. Or why others need one year or two before being able to make an actual impact on an NBA-caliber rotation.
But all things considered, some of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/2022-nba-draft-which-nba-draft-class-has-the-most-all-stars-20220623-0045.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the rookies</a> are still expected to be productive right out of the gate. And today, we’re going to let you know about three first-year players who haven’t lived up to the expectations.
<h2>NBA News: 3 Rookies That Have Disappointed Thus Far</h2>
<h3>3. Nikola Jovic</h3>
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<figure class="image"> <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="413" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:413" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20221116_BUS_205823_nikola_jovic.jpg_22993414_40c51c42.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=413" width="740" height="413"></figure><figcaption> Nikola Jovic – Getty Images </figcaption></figure>
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Nikola Jovic was one of the most intriguing prospects in this class. He’s got a versatile and enticing skill set that could make him one of the best young players in the league, yet he’s barely played at all.
Of course, it’s hard to blame him as he was nursing an injury. But it seems likeErik Spoelstra and the Miami Heat don’t think he’s all the way there and will slowly work his way into the rotation.
<h3>2. Walker Kessler</h3>
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<figure class="image"> <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="413" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:413" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20221116_BUS_205823_walker_kessler.jpg_22993414_67c714d0.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=413" width="740" height="413"></figure><figcaption> Walker Kessler – Getty Images </figcaption></figure>
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Don’t get me wrong, Walker Kessler has actually been elite defensively on a limited sample size. But the fact that the Utah Jazz have refused to tank early in the season has prevented us from watching him playbig minutes.
While not much of an offensive factor, Kessler is a defensive anchor with the upside to lead the NBA in blocks per game, total blocks, and every single block-related stat. However, he has failed to take over Jarred Vanderbilt at the five.
<h3>1. Jabari Smith Jr</h3>
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<figure class="image"> <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="413" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:413" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20221116_BUS_205823_jabari_smith_jr_x1x.jpg_22993414_fc18767c.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=413" width="740" height="413"></figure><figcaption> Jabari Smith Jr – Getty Images </figcaption></figure>
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All things considered, Jabari Smith Jr. has been a major disappointment thus far. Considered by some the best prospect in his class, Smith has struggled to get his shot to fall, and has been shy and non-aggressive more often than not.
Perhaps the Houston Rockets just weren’t a good fit with two ball-dominant players in Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. But Smith has failed to make an impact offensively, and his impressive defense has been inconsistent thus far.

NBA: Jabari Smith Jr. and the most disappointing rookies so far

NBA: Jabari Smith Jr. and the most disappointing rookies so far - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-trade-rumors-miami-heat-have-an-alternative-to-kevin-durant-20220701-0035.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Miami Heat</a> are working towards the upcoming <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-2022-2023-when-does-the-next-season-start-20220617-0002.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022-23 NBA season</a>. The first moves were at the Barclays Center where the Heat selected <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/2022-nba-draft-live-list-of-overall-picks-of-this-year-20220623-0032.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nikola Jovic</a> with the 27 pick overall. Now, they are currently working with the free agents.
Last season, the Heat couldn’t finish the job to the Boston Celtics in a Game 7 at home. Therefore, they are looking to improve their style of play. Although, Nikola Jovic’s role will be a rotation player for Erik Spoelstra’s squad.
Jovic’s first steps as aNBA player will be in the summer squad that plays in the California Classic tournament hosted at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Check out how he did in his debut gamefor the Heat.
<h2>Nikola Jovic’sstats</h2>
Nikola Jovicis listed as a6-foot-10forward. He is 19years oldwith at least 1yearof experience in professional basketball with theMega Basket from his country. Jovic was selected with the 27th pick overallin the2022 NBA Draft.

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For his debut, Jovic played against the Los Angeles Lakers as a Heatplayer.However, Jovic couldn’t avoid to lose to the Lakers. The game ended as a 100-66loss. In which, he registered 3 points, with 3rebounds.

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Nikola Jovic

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