Kasparas Jakucionis is the Miami Heat‘s new point guard of the future. The impressive playmaker slipped in the 2025 NBA Draft due to concerns surrounding his 3.4 turnovers per game this past season.
When speaking to the media after being selected by Pat Riley, Jakucionis pinpointed the opportunity to play with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo as the most exciting part about joining the Heat.
“The playmaking ability is what I do,” Jakucionis said. “I’m just grateful to play with guys like Bam Adebayo. We can play together in pick-and-rolls. And Tyler Herro and all those kinds of players. I’m just very happy and grateful to be in this place…I’m so excited. I’m just grateful for this moment to be in this place with this opportunity to get my name called. It’s special for me. That was what I was working for all my life since I was little, and that was my dream. But now this is just the beginning, and everything starts from new.”
Jakucionis is a 6-foot-6 guard with elite playmaking and scoring upside. If he can learn how to make better decisions with the ball, improve on defense, and continue to develop his game, he could anchor the Heat’s point guard position for years to come.
Miami has struggled to find a reliable ball-handler since Goran Dragic left the franchise in 2021.
Bill Simmons Upset Heat Landed Jakucionis
During a recent episode of his eponymous “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Bill Simmons shared his frustrations that Jakucionis fell to the Heat with the 20th pick.
“He fills the box score,” Simmons said. “He’s just gonna be good. It really is annoying to me. Then they’ll sign Kuminga and guess what? He’ll be good for them too. Then all sudden we’ll be like ‘We’re back with the Heat? I thought we killed them. We thought they were dead.'”
Bill Simmons is pissed Kasparas fell to Miami at 20
“He fills the box score.. He’s just gonna be good. It really is annoying to me. Then they’ll sign Kuminga and guess what? He’ll be good for them too. Then all sudden we’ll be like Jesus Christ we’re back with the Heat? I
Jakucionis will undoubtedly need some time to get acclimated to the NBA. It will take multiple years before we see what type of player he will be in the NBA. However, Erik Spoelstra has been highly successful in developing high-ceiling talents throughout his career. Therefore, Jakucionis couldn’t have found a better situation to start his career.
Jakucionis Excited to Develop in Miami
During the same news conference, Jakucionis discussed the Heat’s player development program and how it can help develop his game.
“I know the development part is really good there,” Jakucionis said. “I think I can improve a lot there, I just need to trust in the process, trust to make the team better, trust to win as much as we can, and I’m ready to work.”
Asked Kasparas Jakucionis about being drafted by MIA:
“It means a lot. I know the development part is really good there, I think I can improve…I just need to trust in the process, trust to make the team better, trust to win as much as we can and I’m ready to work.” #HEATNation
Jakucionis could potentially be thrust into a starting guard role for Miami. Spoelstra doesn’t have many reliable ball-handlers. Without a new All-Star talent, Herro will likely continue to assume the primary playmaking role. Nevertheless, Jakucionis could provide some much-needed secondary ball-handling and playmaking. He could help unlock Herro by easing the pressure on his shoulders.
Landing Jakucionis with the 20th pick was lucky for Miami. With the right situation, he has All-Star potential. Fortunately, Spoelstra is the perfect coach to unlock that potential.
