Heat Should Have Zero Regret in Drafting Kasparas Jakučionis Despite Slow Development
In the high-stakes world of NBA scouting, the “bust” label is often applied with reckless abandon, especially when a first-round pick fails to set the world on fire within their first few months of professional basketball. For the Miami Heat and their 2025 first-round selection, Kasparas Jakučionis, the early returns have been statistically underwhelming. However, viewing his “slow development” as a mistake would be a fundamental misunderstanding of both the player’s profile and the Heat’s long-term organizational strategy.
The Heat should have zero regret in drafting Jakučionis. In fact, his current trajectory is exactly what the franchise expected when they took the 19-year-old Lithuanian guard at No. 20 overall. Here is why the “slow start” is a feature, not a bug, of his development.
The Summer League “Nightmare” Scenario
The initial waves of concern began during the California Classic and continued into the Las Vegas Summer League. The raw numbers were, admittedly, difficult to look at. Jakučionis averaged just 4.0 points per game across his first three outings, shooting a dismal 1-for-15 from the field and 0-for-11 from three-point range. He recorded twice as many turnovers (12) as assists (6) during that span.
To a casual observer, these stats suggest a player who is out of his depth. But context is king. Jakučionis admitted to reporters that he struggled with the “NBA physicality and speed,” noting that he didn’t feel like himself in those early games . Transitioning from the European game—where he played for FC Barcelona’s youth and B teams—to the wide-open, hyper-athletic pace of the NBA is a monumental jump for any teenager.
The “High-Floor” Defensive Grit
While the offense has been in a state of flux, the Heat’s coaching staff has been quietly encouraged by Jakučionis’s defensive engagement. Unlike many young prospects who “shut down” when their shots aren’t falling, Jakučionis has consistently given 100% effort on the defensive end [12:52].
He has shown a surprising aptitude for “Heat Culture” staples:
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Point-of-Attack Pressure: His lateral quickness is better than advertised, allowing him to stay in front of quicker American guards.
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Hustle Plays: He has been a frequent flier on the floor, diving for loose balls and battling for offensive rebounds despite being a guard [13:25].
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Defensive IQ: Even when he’s overmatched physically, he rarely misses a rotation, a trait that head coach Erik Spoelstra values over raw scoring ability in young players.
Historical Context: The Curry, LeBron, and Trae Precedents
It is vital to remember that Summer League success is a poor predictor of NBA stardom. Some of the greatest players in the modern era struggled significantly in their first exhibition outings:
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Stephen Curry shot just 32% from the field in his first Summer League [
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LeBron James shot 36.9% in his debut [
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Trae Young, perhaps the best comparison for Jakučionis in terms of playmaking-first guards, shot 38% and was plagued by high turnover numbers early on [10:15].
The Heat have seen this story before within their own locker room. Nikola Jović, who was drafted at a similar age (18/19), spent the majority of his first season in the G-League or at the end of the bench . He is now considered a “pivotal” piece of Miami’s future rotation, proving that the Heat’s developmental system is built for the “slow burn” rather than immediate gratification
Why He Was a “Steal” at No. 20
Before the draft, Jakučionis was ranked as high as sixth overall on some big boards due to his elite passing vision and size for a guard (6’5”) [13:43]. The Heat getting him at 20 was widely considered a value play. His “slow development” doesn’t change the fact that he possesses a combination of size and playmaking that is rare in today’s NBA.
With Terry Rozier currently away from the team and Tyler Herro battling a persistent toe injury, the Heat have been forced to play Jakučionis more than they perhaps intended. While this has exposed his current limitations, it has also accelerated his learning curve.
The Verdict
The Heat aren’t drafting for the 2025-26 season alone; they are drafting for the 2027-2030 window. By the time Jakučionis is 22, he will have years of “Heat Culture” conditioning, a more robust frame, and a refined jump shot. Selling stock on a 19-year-old after a handful of summer games is a mistake the Miami front office simply doesn’t make.
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