Kasparas Jakučionis was widely projected to go in the late lottery of this year’s NBA Draft, with many expecting his name to be called within the top 10. At worst, he was expected to go shortly after pick No. 14. But in a surprising turn, the Miami Heat were able to scoop him up with the 20th selection — an unforeseen gift for the franchise.
While Bam Adebayo remains the face of the team, Miami has been quietly assembling an intriguing group of young players. With recent draft picks like Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jovic, Pelle Larsson, and Jaime Jaquez Jr., the team’s young core is gaining depth. Now, Jakučionis might just be the most promising of them all.
He made an immediate impression in his Las Vegas Summer League debut. The former Illinois standout led the Heat with 24 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the field and sinking 5-of-9 shots from three (55.6%). He also contributed four rebounds, four assists, and two steals — tying rookie teammate Asa Newell in that category.
Despite Kobe Bufkin pouring in a game-high 29 points, Jakučionis arguably delivered the most well-rounded performance on the court.
“It was good to see him get his feet underneath him,” said Eric Glass, Miami’s Summer League head coach, via Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. “He looked more himself. Hopefully we can continue to grow with that.”
Jakučionis set the tone early by driving into the lane, finishing through contact, and converting an and-one play. He ended the first quarter with 14 points, knocking down all three of his attempts from beyond the arc.
After struggling in his previous three Summer League games at the California Classic, Jakučionis told Winderman: “I think I was a little more aggressive on the offensive end.”
At 6-foot-5, the Lithuanian guard also looked natural attacking downhill. His ability to get into the paint consistently allowed him to both finish and create opportunities for others, as evidenced by his four assists.
Despite His Performance, Heat Let One Slip Away
Though Jakučionis shined, the Heat couldn’t close the game out. They held a 12-point lead with under six minutes remaining but then allowed the Atlanta Hawks to go on a 14-0 run. After a Jacob Toppin layup, the Hawks took a 90–89 lead with just under four minutes left and never looked back, sealing a 105–98 win.
In the grand scheme of things, Summer League results don’t hold much weight — and it’s wise not to overreact to any one performance. Still, Jakučionis’ showing in Las Vegas reinforced why many scouts expected him to be long gone before Miami’s turn on draft night.
He dissected Atlanta’s defense and stayed unfazed, even with defenders contesting his shots. Concerns about his shooting consistency took a backseat to the poise and polish he displayed.
For the Heat, this performance was a promising glimpse into what could be a pivotal addition to their young core.
