Despite all of the encouraging performances leaguewide from this year’s rookie class, one player who still hasn’t seen the hardwood through the first month is Miami Heat guard Kasparas Jakucionis.
Jakucionis, selected No. 20 overall in last June’s draft, missed the team’s seven games with a groin injury. But head coach Erik Spoelstra still hasn’t found a way to wiggle the 19-year-old into the rotation since he’s been available.
As a result, Miami will be sending him down to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Heat’s G-League affiliate, Anthony Chiang (Miami Herald) and Ira Winderman (South Florida Sun Sentinel) were among the first to report Saturday.
Jakucionis was excellent in his preseason debut against the San Antonio Spurs, dishing out 10 assists with eight points, two steals and one block.
But the 6-foot-5 guard appeared in just two preseason contests after a rocky Summer League. Thus, reps as a primary initiator will be crucial to Jakucionis’ development, even in the G-League.
Jakucionis is just one of three players drafted in the top-20 who haven’t played a single second. The others are Oklahoma City’s Thomas Sorber, who will miss the season with a torn ACL, and Chicago’s Noa Essengue.
As a result, the Heat have called up two-way guard Jahmir Young.
Jakucionis’ first game with the Skyforce will be on Sunday against the Windy City Bulls (Chicago’s affiliate).
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He will get his opportunities later on. Right now we have Davion, Dru and also Tyler returning in 1-2 weeks, it’s better for him to play in the G League than sit on the bench.
Spo said there is no timeline for Bam and Herro.
Having trouble with system, so have to write in shorter bursts. They are back on the court, but Herro says he HOPES to be back in 1 or 2 weeks.
I thought he was supposed to come back this week! The only good news is, he will no longer be eligible for the max extension.
If it wasn’t for bad news we’d get no news at all.
Bad sign
thered be no news at all
Test
Players aren’t demoted when they are sent to the G League. They are typically sent there for playing time, skill development and experience, especially when they are receiving little or no playing time with the NBA team.
players who have excess size are demoted to the bench by spobot and receive little or no playing time
kid was very impressive in pre season.needs some pt instead of sitting on ars all year.
Matt, respectfully, stop with the AUCH like headlines. Kasparas going to the G League is NOT a demotion in any way, particularly that he hasn’t played a single minute in a regular game. He is being sent there for seasoning, rather than just sitting on the bench and partaking in practices. There is no substitute for actual game experience.
Good comment RC
That could mean Ty is coming back soon. And this gives the rookie some playing time to keep growing.