With the Miami Heat landing Kasparas Jakucionis in the 2025 NBA Draft, they may have landed an excellent point guard who is ready to contribute at a high level.
The Miami Heat have had an interesting offseason, one that has been defined by their failure to make a big move.
As the Heat failed to land Kevin Durant in a trade, they internally decided to focus on the future and build around their youth.
The big step for them came in the 2025 NBA Draft, when the Heat selected Kasparas Jakucionis with the 20th overall pick.
Jakucionis made an immediate impression on Heat fans with his first comments after joining the team. But it wasn’t his performances at the NBA Summer League that made him such an exciting prospect.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesKasparas Jakucionis looking to shake off poor NBA Summer League
Within the early days of the NBA Summer League, Kasparas Jakucionis managed to impress his Heat teammates, along with the fans of the team. But his good form didn’t last.
Despite a dip in form at the tournament, Jakucionis has earned the trust of the Heat coaching staff, as they’re not reading too much into his performances.
Jakucionis himself admitted he had to work on things, vowing to train harder during the summer so these performances don’t continue into the NBA season.
Jakucionis could possibly start for the Heat, as Tyler Herro isn’t a natural point guard, and the Heat will want to put him in the best position to succeed.
As a result, putting their best natural point guard prospect in the starting lineup is very much going to be a trial by fire situation for Jakucionis. But he has the talent to succeed in the role.
The Miami Heat must put young rookie in best position to succeed
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has to be careful with the way he utilizes Kasparas Jakucionis next season.
Coach Spo could replicate his approach toward Tyler Herro in his rookie year, play Jakucionis some big minutes, and hope his potential translates to the NBA.
And while that is a risky strategy for the usually risk-averse head coach, Jakucionis has the talent to justify such a risk.
Furthermore, the reward at the end of the tunnel is quite tantalizing, as the Heat could develop Jakucionis into a future star-level point guard.