NBA Notes: Heat, Klay Thompson, Knicks, James Wiseman, Nets, Keon Ellis

Heat

Nikola Jovic received his money from the Heat. By his own admission, he didn’t handle what came next particularly well.

Jovic told Miami radio host Brendan Tobin that he became complacent after signing a four-year, $62 million extension before last season, when his production subsequently declined.

“I wouldn’t say I was the smartest guy last year handling things outside of the court,” Jovic said, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

That’s a fairly candid assessment after Jovic shot just 36.6 percent from the field in 47 games. The Heat will obviously be hoping the lesson was learned.

Meanwhile, Klay Thompson said playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo was a significant part of the appeal in choosing Miami following his buyout with Dallas.

“Bam and Giannis, they’re the perfect modern-day bigs,” Thompson said. “Huge part of the reason I’m here.”

There’s another familiar face waiting for Thompson in Andrew Wiggins, his former Warriors teammate.

“It’s a joy to be around Andrew,” Thompson said. “He’s one of the most low-maintenance All-Stars I’ve ever been around. He’s unflappable.”

Knicks

Don’t write off James Wiseman just yet. The former No. 2 overall pick has emerged as the early frontrunner for the Knicks’ final standard roster spot, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

There’s still preseason basketball to play, and that’s particularly important for Wiseman. He has appeared in just five games over the past two seasons after tearing his Achilles in October 2024.

Coach Mike Brown, who previously worked with Wiseman in Golden State, certainly sounds intrigued.

“When you’re that long and that athletic, with skill, he has skill, there’s a place for you in this league,” Brown said. “Sometimes, it takes the right moment, the right team, the right situation.”

Wiseman is competing with Tony Bradley, Drew Eubanks, Bruce Brown and Ochai Agbaji for the spot. New York is expected to carry only 14 players to avoid crossing the second tax apron.

Nets

Keon Ellis knew exactly what he was getting when he signed with the Nets. Namely, coach Jordi Fernandez.

Ellis played under Fernandez when the latter was an assistant in Sacramento and said that familiarity was the biggest reason he signed a two-year, $18 million deal with Brooklyn.

“It’s a safe space right there,” Ellis told Zach Braziller of the New York Post. “He’s familiar with my game, I’m familiar with how he rocks.”

For a player joining a new team, that’s not a bad place to start.