Holding onto draft selection provides more clarity in Heat’s direction

The Miami Heat contemplated trading their 20th overall pick in recent weeks. But the talent of newly drafted Kasparas Jakucionis may have them doubling down on a youth movement. (Photo via Miami Herald)

As Wednesday night’s first round of the 2025 NBA Draft has come to a close, the Miami Heat scouting department wound up with another potential steal. With the 20th overall pick, Adam Simon, Pat Riley and company selected European combo guard Kasparas Jakucionis.

Many around the league have publicly pondered how Jakucionis even fell to Miami that low in the draft. He was projected to be a lottery pick by several of the national media outlets.

Instead, the Heat may have gotten their point guard of the future.

Jakucionis early scouting report has him featured as a talented playmaker. His offensive vision is his greatest attribute, as he dished out a Euro-league record 17 assists in a game a while back.

For Illinois last season, the 6-foot-6 guard put up 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game on 44% shooting. Only he and number one overall pick Cooper Flagg sported those types of all-around numbers. Jakucionis was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten Third Team.

Simon mentioned that he and the Heat front office “didn’t think he would be there” for Miami to select at 20th overall.

One of the things Adam Simon liked:

“He is a really good rim finisher, probably one of the best rim finishers among guards in the draft …. He is a true leader, somebody who can really get a team organized, but also strong himself to be a scorer.”

— Five Reasons Sports 🏀🏈⚾️🏒⚽️ (@5ReasonsSports) June 26, 2025

The Miami Heat are assembling a young and skilled core to build on moving forward.

Following the Heat’s failed trade pursuit of Kevin Durant, many wondered what direction the organization was going for. They are too good to completely tank and rebuild, which is also something the organization doesn’t do. But they are too bad to be a contender in the weaker Eastern Conference, as well.

Riley opting to hold onto this Jakucionis draft selection, rather than dangle it in a trade package, only adds more fuel to the youth movement type of direction for the franchise.

Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro are the two All-Star’s entering the early stages of their prime years. Adebayo is 27 years old as Herro is still 25, and they each seem to be in this for the long haul.

That’s where the under 25 years old group gets intriguing for the Heat, which includes Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Pelle Larsson, Keshad Johnson and now Jakucionis.

“I’m so happy to be part of the Miami culture.”

”Like I said before, it’s all about toughness and winning. I want that. That’s what basketball is about and that’s how you succeed. I think I can fit in pretty well, just playing with Bam in pick-and-rolls, share the ball, playmake & find open shooters like Tyler Herro. I’m so happy to be here.”

— Kasparas Jakucionis in his Draft night press conference

Now when it comes to Jakucionis’ immediate role in the Heat rotation next season, that’s where things get interesting. Coach Erik Spoelstra always tend to have a short leash on recent draft picks, especially someone as young Jakucionis at just 19 years old.

But the skill set, similar to Ware last season, is just too helpful and intriguing to not explore as quickly as possible.

The Heat haven’t had a true consistent playmaking point guard arguably since Goran Dragic. And the possibilities for easier scoring opportunities from the Adebayo-Ware front court duo looks endless with a passer of Jakucionis’ caliber.

Holding onto draft selection provides more clarity in Heat’s direction

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