(Mandatory Credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
After a 2-1 showing in the California Classic, the Miami Heat travel to Las Vegas for the main Summer League event in Las Vegas, Nev.! They will play five games, beginning on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks at 4:30 p.m. EST.
Yes, I know, it’s only Summer League … but the Heat are defending Summer League champions with another fun roster. What should we be watching out for? Let’s examine!
Kasparas Jakucionis’ usage, and how he reacts to ball pressure:
This one is a two-parter.
It was a very rough showing for Kasparas Jakucionis in the California Classic. He began in an off-ball role where he wasn’t very comfortable, but as time went on, his usage grew.
The results, however, were still not ideal.
He finished the three-game stint just 1-of-15 with a dozen turnovers (and just six assists). Offensively, he didn’t fare well with ball pressure and didn’t have enough burst to consistently blow by defenders. He did a respectable job drawing contact, but his handle was loose and he was getting stood up more often than not, which was a big issue.
His spot-up shot mechanics were also fairly chaotic and his confidence looked nonexistent. It was nothing compared to the Jakucionis we saw in his lone season at Illinois, and he will have to adjust.
Jakucionis made capable reads that didn’t always result in assists. Still, it wasn’t a good week for him offensively. Defensively, it was a different story — he was sliding his feet, getting into the passing lanes and diving for loose balls. He was a net positive, but his strengths didn’t outweigh his weaknesses.
Thus, Jakucionis’ usage offensively, plus how he reacts to ball pressure, will be the two main things I’ll be monitoring in Las Vegas.
Kel’el Ware’s impact:
Miami Heat second-year big man Kel’el Ware averaged 13.0 points and five rebounds in two California Classic games. But his impact was anything but positive; he simply looked like he was going through the motions instead of consistently enforcing his will on both ends of the court — like the second-team All-Rookie honoree should be against weaker competition.
Heat head coach Eric Glass even said earlier this week that he’s looking for more consistent impact from Miami’s 21-year-old 7-footer.
Ware, who is expected to be available for Friday’s opener after sitting out its final California Classic game on Tuesday (rest), showed flashes as a vertical spacer, but wasn’t impactful as a screener, rebounder or rim protector in his two games.
While Summer League games largely don’t matter for already-established rotation players, you always want to see your best players play well — especially if they already have a year of NBA experience under their belt. Ware will have an intriguing test Friday against rookie Asa Newell, the Hawks’ No. 23 overall pick whom I was high on in the pre-draft process. Newell plays with a motor that never shuts off.
Will the same inconsistency continue for Ware? Keep an eye on that.
Who will emerge for open two-way spot?
The Miami Heat signed Michigan big man Vlad Goldin to a two-way upon the end of the 2025 NBA Draft. And the expectation is that Dru Smith, coming off two season-ending knee/achilles injuries in consecutive seasons, will be on a two-way contract after they extended the two-way qualifying offer to him.
That leaves one open spot up for grabs.
As of right now, the frontrunners (in no order) appear to be Myron Gardner, Dain Dainja and Erik Stevenson. Kira Lewis Jr. is too old to secure a two-way, even though he was one of their best guards in San Francisco, Calif.
Gardner, who’s played the last two seasons with the Osceola Magic (Orlando’s G-League affiliate), has shown legitimate flashes on both ends of the floor at 6-foot-6, 220-pounds; Dainja has been the Heat’s best backup big (better than Goldin) and Stevenson was one of their best (and only) floor spacers.
Is there anyone that emerges, or will the Heat be looking externally to fill their final two-way spot?
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