There is no update on the Damian Lillard trade situation, but there is some Heat news. Erik Spoelstra is doing well and gaining valuable experience as an assistant coach with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup. Meanwhile, Nikola Jovic is playing well at the same tournament with Team Serbia. Let’s dive into the details.
Heat Off-Season Companion Part 11: Spoelstra Is Gaining Useful Experience at the FIBA World Cup
Spoelstra is no stranger to being part of Team USA’s coaching staff. However, this coaching experience for Spoelstra could prove even more useful to the Heat next season. The current Team USA contains some younger but still very good players, such as the Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards.
As a result, Spoelstra has the opportunity to scout other NBA teams’ players and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. This information could prove useful to the Heat next season. Additionally, Team USA is known as a bastion for player recruitment.
Reports indicate that Wade, Lebron, and Bosh first started thinking about teaming up in Miami when part of the 2008 US Olympic team. Spoelstra is certainly not doing anything unprofessional as far as trying to recruit Team USA players to the Heat. Regardless, he is building relationships with players that could lead to further developments in the future.
Spoelstra has seemingly formed a bond with Anthony Edwards, who is the star of the current Team USA roster. Whether or not that will lead to anything remains to be seen. In any case, this Team USA experience is good for Spoelstra and the Heat.
Nikola Jovic Is Playing Very Well at the FIBA World Cup
Nikola Jovic is one of the Heat’s players with the most potential. Jovic did not play much for the Heat last season. Even so, Jovic is playing quite well at the FIBA World Cup.
Jovic is averaging 17 points per game on 75% shooting from the field. He just scored 25 points on perfect 9/9 shooting from the field for Serbia in a win against South Sudan. This strong play is good for Jovic and the Heat either way.
If Jovic stays, he is making a stronger case for more minutes. If Jovic is traded to the Blazers as part of the Damian Lillard trade, he is increasing his trade value. Ideally, Jovic will stay with the Heat.
It is encouraging to see Jovic play well at the FIBA World Cup no matter what happens next.
The Heat Will Start Preseason in About a Month
The Heat will begin their preseason schedule by playing the Charlotte Hornets at Kaseya Center in Miami on October 10th. Hopefully, there is a resolution to the Damian Lillard trade situation long before then. It is still a good bet that Lillard will be part of the Miami Heat by then.
Check back next week for more Miami Heat content.