Miami Heat Summer League 2024 Thread

[ZoStrong]

Bam played 20 mpg as a rookie and 23 mpg as a second year player. Jovic played 13 mpg as a rookie (15 total games) and 20 mpg as a second year player (46 total games).

There are 96 minutes available per game for the PF and C positions. There were only 15 frontcourt players in the entire NBA 6'10 or taller that played over 30 mpg last season.

The conflict between how Bam, Jovic, and Ware can fit together in a frontcourt rotation is much ado about nothing IMO. Especially for next season.

I'm much more interested in skillset discussions personally.

Going back to the original question which was if Ware will have a better rookie season than his fellow draft class bigs. My contention is in order for that to even have a chance at happening, he would need to play more minutes than what Im currently expecting him to and if he does play more minutes, it’ll likely have to come at the expense of Jovic, imo.

Sarr, Clingan, and Edey I suspect will all get more playing time than Ware which lends itself to the idea that Ware will be unlikely to outperform them as a rookie.

Injuries can happen and change the situations, of course.

Each of Sarr, Clingan and Edey are definitely in situations where their teams are starved for talent in the frontcourt and will likely force them into more playing time as a result. I get that.

I still don't believe that if Ware earns more minutes it has to come at the expense of Jovic. Bam is versatile enough to play with both. Ware will be exclusively playing Center. Jovic should never really be playing center. Bam plays with both.

There were 4 7-foot+ players that averaged 30+ mpg last season in the entire NBA. 7 footers need extra conditioning to play advanced minutes in the NBA. Even the generational Wemby was on a minute restriction as a rookie. Even if Ware somehow became a 25 mpg guy next season (not gonna happen absent bad injury luck), Jovic should still have his minutes so long as he warrants them.

Jovic (28) - Bam (12) - Other PF (8)
Bam (23) - Ware (25)

Doubt Ware will avg 25m a game in his rookie season. If he does (not due to the major injuries to other players) that mean we really hit a home run

[greg4012]

Going back to the original question which was if Ware will have a better rookie season than his fellow draft class bigs. My contention is in order for that to even have a chance at happening, he would need to play more minutes than what Im currently expecting him to and if he does play more minutes, it’ll likely have to come at the expense of Jovic, imo.

Sarr, Clingan, and Edey I suspect will all get more playing time than Ware which lends itself to the idea that Ware will be unlikely to outperform them as a rookie.

Injuries can happen and change the situations, of course.

Each of Sarr, Clingan and Edey are definitely in situations where their teams are starved for talent in the frontcourt and will likely force them into more playing time as a result. I get that.

I still don't believe that if Ware earns more minutes it has to come at the expense of Jovic. Bam is versatile enough to play with both. Ware will be exclusively playing Center. Jovic should never really be playing center. Bam plays with both.

There were 4 7-foot+ players that averaged 30+ mpg last season in the entire NBA. 7 footers need extra conditioning to play advanced minutes in the NBA. Even the generational Wemby was on a minute restriction as a rookie. Even if Ware somehow became a 25 mpg guy next season (not gonna happen absent bad injury luck), Jovic should still have his minutes so long as he warrants them.

Jovic (28) - Bam (12) - Other PF (8)
Bam (23) - Ware (25)

Doubt Ware will avg 25m a game in his rookie season. If he does (not due to the major injuries to other players) that mean we really hit a home run

Agreed

[Beenie]

Bam played 20 mpg as a rookie and 23 mpg as a second year player. Jovic played 13 mpg as a rookie (15 total games) and 20 mpg as a second year player (46 total games).

There are 96 minutes available per game for the PF and C positions. There were only 15 frontcourt players in the entire NBA 6'10 or taller that played over 30 mpg last season.

The conflict between how Bam, Jovic, and Ware can fit together in a frontcourt rotation is much ado about nothing IMO. Especially for next season.

I'm much more interested in skillset discussions personally.

Going back to the original question which was if Ware will have a better rookie season than his fellow draft class bigs. My contention is in order for that to even have a chance at happening, he would need to play more minutes than what Im currently expecting him to and if he does play more minutes, it’ll likely have to come at the expense of Jovic, imo.

Sarr, Clingan, and Edey I suspect will all get more playing time than Ware which lends itself to the idea that Ware will be unlikely to outperform them as a rookie.

Injuries can happen and change the situations, of course.

Each of Sarr, Clingan and Edey are definitely in situations where their teams are starved for talent in the frontcourt and will likely force them into more playing time as a result. I get that.

I still don't believe that if Ware earns more minutes it has to come at the expense of Jovic. Bam is versatile enough to play with both. Ware will be exclusively playing Center. Jovic should never really be playing center. Bam plays with both.

There were 4 7-foot+ players that averaged 30+ mpg last season in the entire NBA. 7 footers need extra conditioning to play advanced minutes in the NBA. Even the generational Wemby was on a minute restriction as a rookie. Even if Ware somehow became a 25 mpg guy next season (not gonna happen absent bad injury luck), Jovic should still have his minutes so long as he warrants them.

Jovic (28) - Bam (12) - Other PF (8)
Bam (23) - Ware (25)

I suspect Spo is gonna play Highsmith and Love more than you think.

I will say that it’s within reason that Love eventually gets phased out this season if he’s not making shots but I don’t think he’ll be omitted from the rotation to start the year off.

I can envision Highsmith’s role expanding without Martin now. And he has every incentive to develop his game and be a more productive contributor.

Basically, Bam’s gonna still play a lot of center

[ZoStrong]

I could definitely see a bigger role for Highsmith, but I think Love is in the UD role. Lots DNPs

[Beenie]

I could definitely see a bigger role for Highsmith, but I think Love is in the UD role. Lots DNPs

If Love in the UD role, it’s just about all DNPs.

The thing is, Mia still has a place for Love if he can make 3s and do the little things like taking charges, and hitting the deep outlets. That said, I don’t think he’s quite at the UD level of bench warming.

[greg4012]

Going back to the original question which was if Ware will have a better rookie season than his fellow draft class bigs. My contention is in order for that to even have a chance at happening, he would need to play more minutes than what Im currently expecting him to and if he does play more minutes, it’ll likely have to come at the expense of Jovic, imo.

Sarr, Clingan, and Edey I suspect will all get more playing time than Ware which lends itself to the idea that Ware will be unlikely to outperform them as a rookie.

Injuries can happen and change the situations, of course.

Each of Sarr, Clingan and Edey are definitely in situations where their teams are starved for talent in the frontcourt and will likely force them into more playing time as a result. I get that.

I still don't believe that if Ware earns more minutes it has to come at the expense of Jovic. Bam is versatile enough to play with both. Ware will be exclusively playing Center. Jovic should never really be playing center. Bam plays with both.

There were 4 7-foot+ players that averaged 30+ mpg last season in the entire NBA. 7 footers need extra conditioning to play advanced minutes in the NBA. Even the generational Wemby was on a minute restriction as a rookie. Even if Ware somehow became a 25 mpg guy next season (not gonna happen absent bad injury luck), Jovic should still have his minutes so long as he warrants them.

Jovic (28) - Bam (12) - Other PF (8)
Bam (23) - Ware (25)

I suspect Spo is gonna play Highsmith and Love more than you think.

I will say that it’s within reason that Love eventually gets phased out this season if he’s not making shots but I don’t think he’ll be omitted from the rotation to start the year off.

I can envision Highsmith’s role expanding without Martin now. And he has every incentive to develop his game and be a more productive contributor.

Basically, Bam’s gonna still play a lot of center

Where have I suggested that Bam wouldn't remain primarily a center?

I def expect Highsmith to be a regular rotation fixture. Highsmith can realistically be slotted with A LOT of different players because he can cover 1-4 and hit 3s. Call him whatever position you want to, but I'd bet there are plenty of times this season where Highsmith is playing on the floor as more of a wing than a PF (55% of his minutes last season were designated as SF minutes last season). It's all about skillsets that fit each other. Highsmith has defensive versatility but shouldn't be in lineups that feature more than 1 other player with limited handle or creation ability. That's where the versatility of Jovic and Bam (along with Jimmy, Jaquez) open up a lot of options.

Love will range between up to his 15 min max (has been on a minute cap of 20 min or so since he was 6th man in CLE) to DNPs in a Haslem role. Ware will very likely get time in Sioux Falls and will have to work to earn the backup C minutes (competing with Love and Bryant).

Almost none of the above should compel a scenario where it's either Ware or Jovic getting minutes at the expense of each other. There are minutes for both if they warrant them.

[Beenie]

Each of Sarr, Clingan and Edey are definitely in situations where their teams are starved for talent in the frontcourt and will likely force them into more playing time as a result. I get that.

I still don't believe that if Ware earns more minutes it has to come at the expense of Jovic. Bam is versatile enough to play with both. Ware will be exclusively playing Center. Jovic should never really be playing center. Bam plays with both.

There were 4 7-foot+ players that averaged 30+ mpg last season in the entire NBA. 7 footers need extra conditioning to play advanced minutes in the NBA. Even the generational Wemby was on a minute restriction as a rookie. Even if Ware somehow became a 25 mpg guy next season (not gonna happen absent bad injury luck), Jovic should still have his minutes so long as he warrants them.

Jovic (28) - Bam (12) - Other PF (8)
Bam (23) - Ware (25)

I suspect Spo is gonna play Highsmith and Love more than you think.

I will say that it’s within reason that Love eventually gets phased out this season if he’s not making shots but I don’t think he’ll be omitted from the rotation to start the year off.

I can envision Highsmith’s role expanding without Martin now. And he has every incentive to develop his game and be a more productive contributor.

Basically, Bam’s gonna still play a lot of center

Where have I suggested that Bam wouldn't remain primarily a center?

I def expect Highsmith to be a regular rotation fixture. Highsmith can realistically be slotted with A LOT of different players because he can cover 1-4 and hit 3s. Call him whatever position you want to, but I'd bet there are plenty of times this season where Highsmith is playing on the floor as more of a wing than a PF (55% of his minutes last season were designated as SF minutes last season). It's all about skillsets that fit each other. Highsmith has defensive versatility but shouldn't be in lineups that feature more than 1 other player with limited handle or creation ability. That's where the versatility of Jovic and Bam (along with Jimmy, Jaquez) open up a lot of options.

Love will range between up to his 15 min max (has been on a minute cap of 20 min or so since he was 6th man in CLE) to DNPs in a Haslem role. Ware will very likely get time in Sioux Falls and will have to work to earn the backup C minutes (competing with Love and Bryant).

Almost none of the above should compel a scenario where it's either Ware or Jovic getting minutes at the expense of each other. There are minutes for both if they warrant them.

Last year the roster was injury plagued and out of necessity there were all kinds of lineup variations.

Assuming the team has a much better season of health and availability, I don’t see Highsmith being used with the same positional fluidity. In his role however he will be asked to increase his shooting volume and add a few more wrinkles here n there.

Jimmy and Jacquez figure to eat up all the the SF minutes and the guard rotation with Herro, Duncan, Burks, Jrich and Rozier are basically at capacity.

This all imo filters back up to PF and specifically Jovic.

[greg4012]

I suspect Spo is gonna play Highsmith and Love more than you think.

I will say that it’s within reason that Love eventually gets phased out this season if he’s not making shots but I don’t think he’ll be omitted from the rotation to start the year off.

I can envision Highsmith’s role expanding without Martin now. And he has every incentive to develop his game and be a more productive contributor.

Basically, Bam’s gonna still play a lot of center

Where have I suggested that Bam wouldn't remain primarily a center?

I def expect Highsmith to be a regular rotation fixture. Highsmith can realistically be slotted with A LOT of different players because he can cover 1-4 and hit 3s. Call him whatever position you want to, but I'd bet there are plenty of times this season where Highsmith is playing on the floor as more of a wing than a PF (55% of his minutes last season were designated as SF minutes last season). It's all about skillsets that fit each other. Highsmith has defensive versatility but shouldn't be in lineups that feature more than 1 other player with limited handle or creation ability. That's where the versatility of Jovic and Bam (along with Jimmy, Jaquez) open up a lot of options.

Love will range between up to his 15 min max (has been on a minute cap of 20 min or so since he was 6th man in CLE) to DNPs in a Haslem role. Ware will very likely get time in Sioux Falls and will have to work to earn the backup C minutes (competing with Love and Bryant).

Almost none of the above should compel a scenario where it's either Ware or Jovic getting minutes at the expense of each other. There are minutes for both if they warrant them.

Last year the roster was injury plagued and out of necessity there were all kinds of lineup variations.

Assuming the team has a much better season of health and availability, I don’t see Highsmith being used with the same positional fluidity. In his role however he will be asked to increase his shooting volume and add a few more wrinkles here n there.

Jimmy and Jacquez figure to eat up all the the SF minutes and the guard rotation with Herro, Duncan, Burks, Jrich and Rozier are basically at capacity.

This all imo filters back up to PF and specifically Jovic.

So it's a Highsmith-Jovic bind, not a Ware-Jovic bind. We're getting somewhere on this silly narrative!

I think Jovic's emergence and Highsmith's skill development had as much to do with Highsmith playing more than just small-ball PF last season. Injuries of course contributed to more opportunity for consistent minutes too. Jovic earned a spot in the starting lineup and didn't let it go. Again, Highsmith can defend 1-4 and can hit open 3s. He can play along a number of different player types so long as at least 3 of the players on the floor are capable+ ballhandlers and creators (that's most of Miami's rotation).

I've posted my musings on how the rotation and minutes may unfold previously. Check it out below if interested:

Spoiler:

Rozier (30) - Herro (18)
Jimmy (30) - Herro/Burks (18)
Jaime (30) - Duncan/Highsmith (18)
Jovic (28) - BAM (8) Highsmith (12)
BAM (25) - Ware/Love/Bryant (23)

The depth compels players that Miami shouldn't be reliant on to have to prove themselves and earn their minutes.

Duncan can go anywhere from out of core rotation to taking a big chunk of the 36 minutes per game available in the backup SG and SF slots.

Highsmith can either be in a low minute specialized role as a defensive wing or earn a chunk of the 48 backup minutes available at the backup SF, PF, and even SG slots (the number of capable ballhandlers Miami has in their core rotation makes it easier to have Highsmith play 2-4 and just be a catch&shoot spacer and defend any of 1-4).

Bam can fit with any of the 5 frontcourt player options. Ware will spend some time in Sioux Falls and can earn all of the backup center minutes if he proves worthy. Love is good for anything from UD bench leader to his minute cap at 15 mpg.

We know there will be injuries that boost our reliance on the depth.

[lastb1ckman]

Does anyone think Stevens is gonna get a 2 way? I really like his game, but now that I let the excitement from Summer League subside, how's a 6'0" pg gonna play on the Heat in 2024?
We already saw Vincent getting shot over, what's gonna happen with Stevens? Would he even get enough time to compensate for the defense on offense?

[dshearn]

I could definitely see a bigger role for Highsmith, but I think Love is in the UD role. Lots DNPs

If Love in the UD role, it’s just about all DNPs.

The thing is, Mia still has a place for Love if he can make 3s and do the little things like taking charges, and hitting the deep outlets. That said, I don’t think he’s quite at the UD level of bench warming.

Ever since Lowery got everyone on board to throw crazy full court passes, love is the only guy I actually trust doing that...Love is probably still useful on the court, and as an example to the young bigs off the court.

[DayofMourning]

Does anyone think Stevens is gonna get a 2 way? I really like his game, but now that I let the excitement from Summer League subside, how's a 6'0" pg gonna play on the Heat in 2024?
We already saw Vincent getting shot over, what's gonna happen with Stevens? Would he even get enough time to compensate for the defense on offense?

I was fully on board, all the way up to the championship game.

Then I started thinking about Alondes, and how weve invested in him, and how theyvre tried to make him a point, and how big/athletic he is.

So I changed my opinion on who I think theyll keep on a 2 way.

JChris, Keshad, and Alondes.

I guess Stevens could stay on exhibition 10 a couple times (forgrt how they work).

[Beenie]

Where have I suggested that Bam wouldn't remain primarily a center?

I def expect Highsmith to be a regular rotation fixture. Highsmith can realistically be slotted with A LOT of different players because he can cover 1-4 and hit 3s. Call him whatever position you want to, but I'd bet there are plenty of times this season where Highsmith is playing on the floor as more of a wing than a PF (55% of his minutes last season were designated as SF minutes last season). It's all about skillsets that fit each other. Highsmith has defensive versatility but shouldn't be in lineups that feature more than 1 other player with limited handle or creation ability. That's where the versatility of Jovic and Bam (along with Jimmy, Jaquez) open up a lot of options.

Love will range between up to his 15 min max (has been on a minute cap of 20 min or so since he was 6th man in CLE) to DNPs in a Haslem role. Ware will very likely get time in Sioux Falls and will have to work to earn the backup C minutes (competing with Love and Bryant).

Almost none of the above should compel a scenario where it's either Ware or Jovic getting minutes at the expense of each other. There are minutes for both if they warrant them.

Last year the roster was injury plagued and out of necessity there were all kinds of lineup variations.

Assuming the team has a much better season of health and availability, I don’t see Highsmith being used with the same positional fluidity. In his role however he will be asked to increase his shooting volume and add a few more wrinkles here n there.

Jimmy and Jacquez figure to eat up all the the SF minutes and the guard rotation with Herro, Duncan, Burks, Jrich and Rozier are basically at capacity.

This all imo filters back up to PF and specifically Jovic.

So it's a Highsmith-Jovic bind, not a Ware-Jovic bind. We're getting somewhere on this silly narrative!

I think Jovic's emergence and Highsmith's skill development had as much to do with Highsmith playing more than just small-ball PF last season. Injuries of course contributed to more opportunity for consistent minutes too. Jovic earned a spot in the starting lineup and didn't let it go. Again, Highsmith can defend 1-4 and can hit open 3s. He can play along a number of different player types so long as at least 3 of the players on the floor are capable+ ballhandlers and creators (that's most of Miami's rotation).

I've posted my musings on how the rotation and minutes may unfold previously. Check it out below if interested:

Spoiler:

Rozier (30) - Herro (18)
Jimmy (30) - Herro/Burks (18)
Jaime (30) - Duncan/Highsmith (18)
Jovic (28) - BAM (8) Highsmith (12)
BAM (25) - Ware/Love/Bryant (23)

The depth compels players that Miami shouldn't be reliant on to have to prove themselves and earn their minutes.

Duncan can go anywhere from out of core rotation to taking a big chunk of the 36 minutes per game available in the backup SG and SF slots.

Highsmith can either be in a low minute specialized role as a defensive wing or earn a chunk of the 48 backup minutes available at the backup SF, PF, and even SG slots (the number of capable ballhandlers Miami has in their core rotation makes it easier to have Highsmith play 2-4 and just be a catch&shoot spacer and defend any of 1-4).

Bam can fit with any of the 5 frontcourt player options. Ware will spend some time in Sioux Falls and can earn all of the backup center minutes if he proves worthy. Love is good for anything from UD bench leader to his minute cap at 15 mpg.

We know there will be injuries that boost our reliance on the depth.

It’s a Ware/ Jovic bind because hypothetically if Ware does play well and earns Spo’s trust, the minutes granted to him won’t just come out of the Love/Bryant bucket but will cascade over to Niko’s.

Btw, I think Jacquez is more likely to get some minutes playing as a small 4 than he is playing as a big 2 to supplement the heavy minutes he’ll get running as a 3. Regardless, I suspect that hell stay in a bench role for now.

Regarding Herro, ive been a voice box for him being put into the Ginobili role basically ever since he was promoted to being a starter so I’m in full support of him being brought off the bench.

Hammer to head, I’d bet that he remains in the starting 5. Id be delighted if I’m proven to be wrong though.

[DayofMourning]

Hope Butler has spent some time practicing some fast breaks. The slow things down and methodically probe the defense, isnt my fave, nor conducive to the skill sets of everyone else on the team.

[greg4012]

It’s a Ware/ Jovic bind because hypothetically if Ware does play well and earns Spo’s trust, the minutes granted to him won’t just come out of the Love/Bryant bucket but will cascade over to Niko’s.

Btw, I think Jacquez is more likely to get some minutes playing as a small 4 than he is playing as a big 2 to supplement the heavy minutes he’ll get running as a 3. Regardless, I suspect that hell stay in a bench role for now.

We'll def agree to disagree then. Keep up the work trying to pump up a Ware vs. Jovic narrative. Me thinks you're reaching on it.

And let's get Jaime's name right please! JAQUEZ

I'll keep waiting for the day when fans on here can discuss skillsets that fit on a bball court rather than fixating on 2 vs 3 vs 4.

More often than not the guys on the court are filling roles that fill different positional buckets all at once. Spo would be the first to tell you that.

[greg4012]

Does anyone think Stevens is gonna get a 2 way? I really like his game, but now that I let the excitement from Summer League subside, how's a 6'0" pg gonna play on the Heat in 2024?
We already saw Vincent getting shot over, what's gonna happen with Stevens? Would he even get enough time to compensate for the defense on offense?

He checks the playmaking box--which Miami can def use more of. But, like you indicated he needs the defense to go along with it. Especially if he's not a microwave scorer. He seems to be a capable 3 pt shooter, but IDK that he's a volume shooter.

Hard to see getting his passing chops on the floor if he (1) isn't at least an aggressive POA defender like Gabe; (2) isn't a volume scorer or 3 pt shooter; or (3) isn't someone that collapses the defense with slashing pressure.

[greg4012]

Hope Butler has spent some time practicing some fast breaks. The slow things down and methodically probe the defense, isnt my fave, nor conducive to the skill sets of everyone else on the team.

I def am curious to see if Jovic takes on a larger role as the guy bringing the ball up the court and pushing pace. It'd be nice if he can convert some of that to pressuring the paint in the half court a la Dragic.

[HeatFan_NC]

I would start Ware on opening night.

Christopher has been in the league for a couple years, so I think he could be a valued contributor.

Keshad is the next High Smith.

Alondes could be our next Gabe (3rd string guard who sits on the bench for a year)

[Beenie]

It’s a Ware/ Jovic bind because hypothetically if Ware does play well and earns Spo’s trust, the minutes granted to him won’t just come out of the Love/Bryant bucket but will cascade over to Niko’s.

Btw, I think Jacquez is more likely to get some minutes playing as a small 4 than he is playing as a big 2 to supplement the heavy minutes he’ll get running as a 3. Regardless, I suspect that hell stay in a bench role for now.

We'll def agree to disagree then. Keep up the work trying to pump up a Ware vs. Jovic narrative. Me thinks you're reaching on it.

And let's get Jaime's name right please! JAQUEZ

I'll keep waiting for the day when fans on here can discuss skillsets that fit on a bball court rather than fixating on 2 vs 3 vs 4.

More often than not the guys on the court are filling roles that fill different positional buckets all at once. Spo would be the first to tell you that.

I can’t pretend to know exactly what the front office has in mind for the long term future of the team.

What it appears to look like though is Ware and Bam are pegged at the 4/5 spots.

I’m not buying that the team envision Niko starting next to them (that spot will likely belong to JJJ) nor am I buying that he’d be willing to accept a bench role.

How’s that for a narrative?

[DayofMourning]

Hope Butler has spent some time practicing some fast breaks. The slow things down and methodically probe the defense, isnt my fave, nor conducive to the skill sets of everyone else on the team.

I def am curious to see if Jovic takes on a larger role as the guy bringing the ball up the court and pushing pace. It'd be nice if he can convert some of that to pressuring the paint in the half court a la Dragic.

Jovic and Jaime both do a great job pushing the pace. I could envision Bam and Ware benefiting greatly from their pace. Catch the defense on its heels.

[greg4012]

It’s a Ware/ Jovic bind because hypothetically if Ware does play well and earns Spo’s trust, the minutes granted to him won’t just come out of the Love/Bryant bucket but will cascade over to Niko’s.

Btw, I think Jacquez is more likely to get some minutes playing as a small 4 than he is playing as a big 2 to supplement the heavy minutes he’ll get running as a 3. Regardless, I suspect that hell stay in a bench role for now.

We'll def agree to disagree then. Keep up the work trying to pump up a Ware vs. Jovic narrative. Me thinks you're reaching on it.

And let's get Jaime's name right please! JAQUEZ

I'll keep waiting for the day when fans on here can discuss skillsets that fit on a bball court rather than fixating on 2 vs 3 vs 4.

More often than not the guys on the court are filling roles that fill different positional buckets all at once. Spo would be the first to tell you that.

I can’t pretend to know exactly what the front office has in mind for the long term future of the team.

What it appears to look like though is Ware and Bam are pegged at the 4/5 spots.

I’m not buying that the team envision Niko starting next to them (that spot will likely belong to JJJ) nor am I buying that he’d be willing to accept a bench role.

How’s that for a narrative?

Premature at best.

Why wouldn't Niko accept a bench role? Why wouldn't Ware accept a bench role?

Especially in a future scenario where they are all full time players and likely top 6-7 in rotation minutes and all being paid/secured on longer term deals. Why is exactly is this an issue for today or even tomorrow?

Niko was the 27th pick in the draft. Ware is a raw rookie and was the 15th pick in the draft. Effectively all of Niko's countrymen that have found success in the NBA have played the majority of their minutes from a bench role (at best). Just looking at the Serbian national team, aside from Jokic, Bogdan is the best player and he has spent more than half of his NBA career coming off the bench. Poku was picked 17th just 4 years ago and he's already falling out of the NBA.

Cmon now