Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic had a tough season in 2025-26, but the team still sees him as a big part of the franchise's future, Wes Goldberg of the Locked On Heat podcast reports. "We still look at [Niko] as one of our young, building guys," Heat president Pat Riley said on Monday at his annual end-of-the-season news conference. This season, Jovic managed only 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 17.2 minutes per game. He was limited to 47 appearances, starting once. Riley noted that he had projected Jovic as a starter before the season began. Although Jovic's campaign was disappointing, he still has time to develop, as he turns only 23 in July. The Serbian native signed a four-year, $62.4 million rookie contract extension with Miami in October.

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) won't suit up for Monday's Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is not ready to play due to a left calf issue and is sitting out the action after being labeled a game-time decision. Gordon will miss his second game of the series and won't get a chance to return to the lineup this season if Denver doesn't win on Monday. Spencer Jones has previously filled in for Gordon in the starting unit and is likely to get the nod again. The team will also look to get more production from Cameron Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro will undergo a "preemptive procedure" on his foot, team president Pat Riley announced Monday at his annual end-of-the-season news conference. Health issues limited Herro to a career-low 33 appearances this season. "It's unfortunate what happened with Tyler this year," Riley said. "He's having a procedure done, preemptive procedure done, which is good. He'll be ready to go, I think, by July. So he's got more than enough time ahead of training camp." During his seventh season with the Heat, Herro averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 31.3 minutes per game. On track to recover in time for next season, the 2025 All-Star will also hope to agree on a contract extension with his team before then.

Miami Heat forward/center Bam Adebayo is untouchable and won't be traded in the offseason, team president Pat Riley announced on Monday. At his annual end-of-the-season news conference, Riley joked he would consider trading Adebayo only if offered eight draft picks and Victor Wembanyama. The team plans to continue building around Adebayo, who has spent his entire nine-year NBA career in Miami. In 2025-26, Adebayo averaged a double-double for the fourth time, posting 20.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. On March 10, the three-time All-Star recorded the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, notching 83 points in a 150-129 victory over the Washington Wizards. Adebayo won't turn 30 until 2027 and should remain a top fantasy contributor for several more years.