Rival teams see Jovic and Portis as negative value, Fischer says

Jake Fischer, on his Bleacher Report livestream, said rival front offices view Nikola Jovic and Bobby Portis as negative-value contracts, which limits Miami's ability to use them as salary ballast in a trade.

He said the Heat and Mavericks talked about Jovic for Klay Thompson before Dallas bought Thompson out, but Miami would not attach the draft compensation Dallas sought; Thompson later signed in Miami on a two-year deal worth close to $13 million.

Among the Jovic exits raised: Charlotte sending Dorian Finney-Smith and a 2027 second-rounder, or Brooklyn returning Moritz Wagner.

The 22-year-old, who averaged 7.3 points on 36.6% shooting and 26.9% from three, is beginning a four-year, $62.4 million extension at $15.6 million a season, and Fischer also expects veteran center Nick Richards, who has been working out at Kaseya Center, to eventually sign with the Heat.