The pick is in: The Miami Heat have taken Kasparas Jakucionis No. 20 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft!
Jakucionis averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 44.0 percent shooting, including 31.8 percent from 3-point range and 84.5 percent from the free-throw line!
This is a home run pick for the Heat, who get one of the best lead playmakers in the entire draft outside of Dylan Harper, who was selected No. 2 overall to the Spurs.
Jakucionis is one of the best passers in this class. He can make every single pass with either hand, though he had a tendency to turn the ball over more often than you would like a lead guard would. He was excellent in live-dribble situations getting downhill and flowed well in the pick-and-roll.
Jakucionis has questionable (vertical) athleticism, but he applied solid rim pressure and was very physical inside-the-arc; he was excellent at drawing fouls and his 84.5 percent free-throw percentage suggests he will improve long-term. He had to do a lot on-ball, so perhaps playing alongside others who could shoulder more burden will help Jakucionis’ numbers.
The 6-foot-5 guard has a good frame to him (6’7.75 wingspan, 8’3.5 standing reach, 205.2 lbs) and is an excellent rebounder for his position. He has a real nose for the ball. He’s a solid point-of-attack defender, but will need to improve his foot speed and screen navigation.
Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware’s lives became much easier. The Heat needed to prioritize a lead guard in this draft and they got one–one of the best ones.
Jakucionis was the No. 7 player on my board entering Wednesday … you can’t claim a player is the “steal of the draft” on draft night, but I have a feeling the Heat selected an impactful guard who can immediately impact their rotation right away!
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I like the pick, anytime a potential lottery pick drops to you, you gotta take that talent, especially at a position of need. Some of us was clamoring for a pg, and that’s who they selected. Another ball handler, who can organize the offense, get easy buckets for himself, and teammates, pick & roll savant, with good size is a nice get. Sure I preferred Asa and Jase who also dropped, but I’m not complaining with a lottery pick talent, even if he’s white. I just hope he has solid d and can prove all the naysayers wrong. If we don’t have a 2nd round pick, I would like miami to buy into the 2nd round and draft Fleming.
i agree, especially with that last sentence!!
Yes sir, if not there should be some decent undrafted talent, or we can always trade for proven talent like Collins, beefstew,etc.
Only player I want from Detroit is Jaden Ivey the not trading Cade so there’s that
Maybe we could do a trade jjj plus a future 2nd round pick for ivey. But biggest need Is a back pf/c I would love Collins in that role.
https://youtu.be/pH0KcOedh90?si=aJwv_Y2YIwH4Bk92
Bout30 – check this one out, you may feel a little better.
https://youtu.be/tOjX8a1E63E?si=OwCxF2xfRPUINDjk
Question. Is there a good undrafted PF or Center in this year draft that we can get to support the 2nd unit?
Here is a list of names to look out for even tho some of them won’t make it past the 2nd round: kalkbrenner, toohey, Broome, rocco, lakhin, Amari, omoruyi, dixon ,and moore. Any of those guys would be a decent to adequate backup pf/c If undrafted. I rather we buy into the 2nd round though.
ESPN:Givony: Biggest winners of Round 1
Phoenix Suns
Miami Heat
It was surprising to see Jakucionis — the No. 11-ranked player on our top 100 big board — fall all the way to No. 20. Any temporary disappointment over the money he lost was likely replaced by the realization he landed in arguably the most desirable situation of any guard prospect in this draft — a team desperate for shot creation and playmaking. He’ll also fit in perfectly from a culture and toughness perspective.
Jakucionis’ ability to play any of the backcourt positions gives the Heat significant lineup flexibility when operating alongside Herro in the backcourt. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him eventually emerge as the franchise’s future point guard, thanks to the savvy he displays running pick-and-roll and his exceptional feel for the game.
Him and Herro gonna get ate tf up on defense
I doubt Spo will play them at the same time. Starting backcourt will probably still be the same: Herro and Mitchell.
The question will be the 2nd unit. Is it going to be Kasparas and JJJ or Kasparas and Pelle.
Maybe he will fit better than Herro and he’ll stay, Herro will go. No way in hell Herro is worth or gets $150M extension.
Yes, I am definitely hoping that they don’t hamstring themselves with a bad contract like that. Been there, done that.
Yeah, agree with you and Deadsori. Have to pair Mitchell with Herro and JK with Highsmith or Pelle to have at least one defender in the backcourt.
Confident shooter above everything, with some playmaking skills.
He looks like a replacement for Dunc.
Heat continue their way picking versatile players with playmaking skills, which happens to be white.
I watched the other day talk between Nash, LBJ and Luka, where one of the topics was different approach of developing young players in Europe and US.
The sad true is, if you want a versatile young player, familiar with all basics of the game, you will need to pick a player from Europe. The sad true because there is a enormous waste of talent of US players. A lot of them never learned everything they need to be successful, its just too late for them learning during playing in NBA:
So there is a reason, that a lot of Heats players are white. Not racial stuff, just prefer to have versatile players over those who can jump through roof but that’s about it.
In the last ten years 2 euro players won championships but with you logic they win every year lmao stfu
“So there is a reason, that a lot of Heats players are white. Not racial stuff, just prefer to have versatile players over those who can jump through roof but that’s about it.”
What has that gotten Mia? When they have one for 3 years and he’s done absolutely shit beside be injured since he’s been in a heat uni
My point was that European young players are better trained then US ones. If US players with their physical abilities would be trained as should be at the young age, you wouldn’t watch many European (and white ones) players in NBA (and Miami).
Bam, Herro and Butler also done absolutely shit in past years, so he is not alone.
The Js! Jovic, Jaquez, Jakucionis…who else?
Per nbadraft.net
Jakucionis is a prime example of why overseas talent is valued so highly in recent years, as players who come to the states after years of experience in other pro leagues typically translate well to the college / NBA game… The speed and flow of the game is something that he has been familiar with since a teenager and after his first year with the Fighting Illini, it’s easy to see why he’s a projected lottery pick… Offensively, he is an extremely polished prospect that was gifted with a great combination of skill and size… As of right now, Jakucionis is a jack of all trades who even though may not be the best in his class at any one thing, is consistent in a wide variety of things that allowed him to yield some of the best numbers of any player entering their name in the draft… But, as he continues to grow his game and with the speed he’s improving at, he could be right up there offensively with the likes of Dylan Harper and Tre Johnson… There are for sure some visible flaws in his game and he had his fair share of struggles during his time with Illinois but to come into a brand new system, establish himself as the clear star and have his draft stock rise as high as it has, it’s clear that he his doing something right… His game has only continued to develop and as a lock to hear his name on draft night, what’s next for Jakucionis will be to prove that he isn’t just a jack of all trades, master of none, but the leagues next international star …
This kid was the highest rated player still on the board. Most projections had him as a lottery pick in the 8-12 range. For whatever reason, he was still around at #20, so Miami took the best available player. He dropped the furthest, other than Liam McNeely who was a projected lottery pick but was selected #29.
Profile
Jakučionis is an adept playmaker capable of scoring or passing from anywhere on the floor. At 6-foot-6 with good footwork, feel for the game and shooting touch, he can play many roles, including that of a primary playmaker. He easily sets up his teammates, threading the needle for easy scoring opportunities. Despite not being an elite athlete, Jakučionis can also create his shot with quality dribbling, hesitation moves and a developing stepback jumper. His understanding of angles and advantages allowed him to average 5.1 free throw attempts per game. On defense, he isn’t elite but is solid enough to thrive in a scheme.
As far as too many whitesides to win anything, Boston had 6 on last year’s NBA championship team. Hauser, Kornet, Mykhailiuk, Peterson, Porzingis and Pritchard, plus a few light skinned (half black & half white) guys. I don’t know how y’all want to classify them from a racial perspective. As a matter of fact, there are quite a few mixed race players in the NBA (Curry, Tatum, Haliburton, the Balls, LaVine, Thompson, Kuzma) and many, many others. There are also mixed race players with Filipino, Korean, Japanese and other ancestries. Why do several of you classify the half black players as black, but Jaime Jaquez as white, when he is also mixed race?
Since most of Europe is white. most of their best players, other than mixed race players from France, are white. Jakucionis is one of the top European players in this year’s draft. He happens to be white.
I thought this blogging site was to discuss Miami Heat basketball, not our country’s racial issues. But I would be happy to discuss racism instead, in all it’s ugly variations, if that is what y’all would prefer to do.
GO HEAT!!!
Listen, the only colors I care about are black, yellow, and red. If those colors are on your jersey, I’m rooting for you.
Unless you do something stupid like eat gummies on an airplane or use an anti-semitic slur while livestreaming or if you quit playing in the middle of the season because you’re butthurt about your contract.
But other than that… hell, you’re on the team, and I’m in your corner.
Amen sister! Amen! You had me at butthurt. 😬
Rec this!
Playin champions 10 peat incoming
Better than wallowing at the bottom for years like some teams. At least their trajectory is up, not down.
Mia trajectory is stuck in purgatory foh lmao that’s why y’all calling for a gap year in order to get another whiteside in doncic but he’s not coming here after that what great FA in 26’ you think coming here?
Love how yall love to deflect bring up other teams to make yall point it’s hilarious but I’ll indulge, Boston last year won cause of Jaylen brown lol bring up all them bench players who didn’t sniff the floor in the finals , okc just won because of who sga, name who you want and deflect all you want give me a team with as many as Mia that’s gonna play significant minutes what team won anything with that many type players since the 50/60s? So yall believe the new dude and herro are a dynamic duo that can rival okc? Pacers? High level basketball like we’ve seen in the finals from two one way players. Could’ve sworn you were on the Coby white bandwagon then soon as a “projected lottery” slips to mia your back on board. He slipped because teams besides the Mia white side think he can be something.
I’m one of those half glass full kind of guys. You know, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I still want to see Miami make some trades to upgrade positions. Until then, I like to think positively. Must be something in my dna. Negativity sucks. I’ve learned in life that if you think negatively, negative shit happens to you. No “Debbie Downer” here.
Yeah let’s blindly follow incompetence no direction and even though no one’s admitting it this franchise is going in the wrong direction has been for years.
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article305103851.html
“As ESPN noted, there were two freshmen who averaged at least 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists last season: Jakucionis and Duke’s Cooper Flagg, who went first overall to Dallas.”
That about says it all.
Great reference. Thanks! 🙂🙂🙂
Their comments align with my earlier comments below.
I am equally thrilled that he is 6’6″.
This is only one example, but the first set of grades on Bleacher had the two picks before the Heat as a C, and the two picks after as a C. They had the Heat as an A. Again, random crap, but also kind of interesting to see how those picks are viewed.
I got to admit, that is encouraging. Still, if we were almost any other team with any other roster in the league, I would be more encouraged by those evaluations. It’s not the pick as much as it didn’t address some of our biggest needs. .
I thought pg and backup center were 2 of our needs.
Don’t you remember? Melanin is our top priority. You know where I stand on this: just give him cornrows.
PG was on the list…race was not specified. Same with PF/C. Whether black, white or green it doesn’t matter (to most of us).
No green. Green is for Celtics.
Speaking of White, I wonder if we can get that White dude from Celtics for Robinson and a ham sandwich? They still need to reduce their payroll or pay hefty penalties.
I know we are supposed to be optimistic and hope for the best. This player is decent, and may have a shot at becoming an NBA player. I am not knocking the new draft pick. I am knocking the accumulation of white players, and similar ones too. Yes, they are similar in that none can play point, nor center (which Love can’t play anymore either). Most, if not all, can’t play two way, most will be a step slow, most won’t have great handles or hops. Let’s face it, there is an accumulation of similar shortcomings or limitations here that if you ask any basketball pundit, they will point out in their very first sentence.
I wish our new player well but I am quite unhappy with the direction of this team.
The Heat were picking 20th. Literally every pick after this first 5 have questions. So to say starting with their limitations as if that was a bad thing at 20 completely overlooks what picking outside of the lottery entails. It involves a ton of risk. If you want what you are talking about then we have to completely tank on a level that would have you posting about other things during that season.
I am on the record saying this kid will be solid. Anything after that would be gravy. I have my list of those who said he will suck because he is white.
Good, we should all be accountable. Take into account overall team performance also as addressing or not addressing weaknesses is part of the equation in evaluating draft pick success.
Lol…I hope your list is very short. 🙂🙂🙂
I think he will get better with time.
I believe the intention was to pick a different (in several ways) player who happened to go 2 picks earlier.
When the one you are targeting is picked by another team, you pick the next best one.
I have read your previous comments elsewhere and cannot ignore the fact that you are really bothered about the coloration of the team. My unsolicited opinion is that you chill a little bit.
Few years ago, there were several criticisms of the domination of the Heat by melanin. Some went on to remind the front office of the percentage of court attendees by race and warned that patronage at the arena may decline if fairer skinned players are not injected into the team. So the front office may be reacting to those critics.
It is unfortunate that we live in a culture were racial consideration is often injected into decision making or the critic of a player.
I remind myself that love ALWAYS trumps!
Go Heat, Go!!
Slated to go in the 11-14 range, and known for passing, court vision, and, yes, turnovers. Keeper? Or part of an upcoming trade?
I still feel it would have been better to trade down for the Brooklyn picks. They got pg Saraf at 26, c Wolf at 27, and others like Fleming were still available.
Hoping for more movement soon.
Saraf can be explosive but his outside shooting is not spectacular. As for Wolf (c) agree Heat needs a back up center to Ware and spare JJJ, Bam and Love from taking turns as back ups.
Would Wolf ever become a starter on this team with Bam and Ware? I would hope not. This kid can become a starter if he works hard with the staff by year 3. Possibly even year 2 at some point.
I have not watched Wolf playso in all honesty I don’t know the answer to your question. Training camp will determine that.
Who traded down in that range? It’s easy to say but you need someone to want to trade up and offer something of value. So to me it’s odd to ding a team on something that didn’t happen. Jmo
This was a lottery pick who fell. Winslow fell to us and it bit us in the @$$. Bam and Herro fell to us and we got 2 AS’s. So you never really know. That being said, I preferred this kid over those you mentioned who were left. He has eventual solid starter, with potential for a little more, at 20. We freaking got Precious at 20 lol so you win some and lose some.
Yes, I was just speculating with no basis for it. I hoped Brooklyn would want to consolidate 2 of their many picks to move up. No expectation that it would happen.
Lots of potential… I doubt Spo starts him, but this guy can definitely help run a second unit, you would think. The turnovers are concerning. Let’s see what the developmental program can do!
If we keep Davion then I would say Davion starts and this kid absolutely contributes in 2nd unit. Like every rookie, it’s that wall you worry about and when will they hit it.
I’ve never heard of him, like most of the draftees. However; seeing a few clips on him, I like his shot selections, vision as a facilitator, and pick’n’ roll game. His pace is slow, which fits the Heat’s slow pace.
He seems like a no drama kind of player who won’t question Pat or the coach, which grandpa Pat will love.
My concerns:
1. The teams that made it deep this past season relied on a fast pace game.
2. Don’t know much about his defense.
3. One analyst commented on his drop off performance towards the end of the college season.
Perhaps he may be included in a trade in the post season. Who knows?
Welcome to the Heat, JK!
Go Heat, Go!!