If No Damian Lillard, Are Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Enough For Miami Heat To Contend?
With the NBA season starting soon, the Miami Heat are still uncertain about the acquisition of Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard.
They were linked to the seven-time All-Star during offseason but the trade talks stalled. It leaves to question whether the Heat can become championship contenders with the young roster they already have.
On Friday's The Crossover podcast, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix said he’s unsure if the Heat can be successful without Lillard.
“You’re talking about counting on their first-round pick [Jaime Jaquez],” Mannix said. “You’re not talking about thinking Nikola Jovic is gonna step up and play?”
Mannix might have a point. Last season, the Heat beat the odds by becoming the second No. 8 seed in history to make the Finals. Jovic played a minimal part last season, averaging five points and two rebounds in 15 games.
In the playoffs, he averaged just 0.3 points and 0.7 rebounds. Jovic has played solid in the FIBA World Cup but had five points on 1 of 6 shooting in Serbia’s 78-76 loss to Italy.
Jaquez is supposedly NBA-ready after playing four seasons at UCLA. He had 22 points and three rebounds in his only game during the Summer League.
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Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.
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