Kasparas Jakucionis Falls to No. 20 — and Right Into Miami’s Hands
(Pronounced: CAHS-per-us yah-koo-CHOH-nis)
For a team needing a point guard, shooting, and long-term upside, the Miami Heat found all three with the 20th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Kasparas Jakucionis, the Lithuanian-born combo guard who starred at Illinois and developed through the prestigious FC Barcelona system, wasn’t expected to be available this late. He didn’t even work out for the Heat. And yet, here he is — a lottery-level talent joining one of the NBA’s most structured and demanding cultures.
A Dream Realized
“I’m so excited. I’m just grateful for this moment, to be in this place, to get this opportunity to get my name called. It’s special for me. It’s what I was working for, all my life, since I was little. It’s a dream, but now it’s just the beginning.”
— Kasparas Jakucionis
It’s clear the moment wasn’t lost on him — nor the opportunity ahead.
“I think I can prove a lot there… I’m ready to work.”
Though he didn’t meet with Miami pre-draft, Jakucionis immediately pointed to the fit:
“The playmaking ability is what I do. I’m just grateful to play with a guy like Adebayo, play pick-and-roll.”
He also noted his excitement about teaming up with Tyler Herro and mentioned that he speaks fluent Spanish — a small but useful detail in Miami’s diverse locker room and city culture.
Heat’s Perspective: Adam Simon on the Pick
Vice President of Basketball Operations Adam Simon offered a candid look into the Heat’s thinking:
“I think this draft was a little different. It was a pretty unanimous top 8 from our board… Looking at this draft, it was a literal unpredictable.”
“We didn’t think he would be there. We had him higher than where we took him.”
The Heat tried to get Jakucionis in for a workout, but didn’t push too hard, assuming he’d be gone before their pick:
“We tried to get him in, but we didn’t think he’d be there at 20. We spent some time with him in Chicago.”
Simon highlighted his driving ability, vision, and overall offensive skill set:
“He showed versatility in his playmaking… His handle’s really strong, he understands the game very well. He’s a true leader, someone who can get the team organized.”
“He’s a very good scorer, he can get downhill and also make reads, and that’s just part of the learning process.”
Even with Jakucionis shooting just 31.8% from three in college, the Heat believe in his long-term potential:
“He’s projected based on our analytical numbers to become a good shooter.”
“There’s things in his game that he certainly has to work on… What he’s accomplished at the junior levels — everywhere he’s played, he’s been effective and efficient.”
Defensively, Simon acknowledged the limitations — but also emphasized mindset:
“What he has is a toughness to him. He has an edge, he has an IQ.”
“He’ll be an astute learner in our defensive systems. I think he’ll be able to defend at a high level in our league.”
On the concern of turnovers, Simon struck a patient tone:
“Turnovers are high, but they’re turnovers you can work with.”
And when asked about the bigger picture:
“It was important for us to make this pick tonight… It’s more important now to have more rookie-scale deals in the modern NBA.”
Offensive Conductor with High Upside
Jakucionis’ biggest strength? Running an offense with poise and vision. He’s not just a passer — he’s an orchestrator. At Illinois, he averaged 15.0 points and 4.7 assists per game, but the raw numbers don’t capture his feel. He reads defenses like a veteran, shifts pace effortlessly, and manipulates defenders with head fakes and body positioning.
In the pick-and-roll, he’s exceptional — threading tight windows and keeping defenders guessing. His ability to drive with control and finish through contact (71.7% at the rim) gives him real versatility, even without elite speed.
His three-point shot dipped after a midseason forearm injury, but early-season tape showed pull-up range and confidence. He finished at 31.8% from deep — below ideal, but promising, especially considering his 84.5% free-throw mark.
The main concern? Turnovers. At 3.7 per game, many were the product of overdribbling or hunting for highlight assists instead of making the simple play. It’s part of the young creator learning curve, but a clear development area.
Defensive Questions, Competitive Edge
Defensively, Jakucionis competes — but his tools are limited. The claims of lateral burst limitations have been debunked and I would say he just more so can’t play above the rim. He isn’t a disruptive playmaker yet still, he rotates well, stays locked in off the ball, and doesn’t take plays off. With added strength and coaching, he could become a neutral or slightly below-average defender. But he’ll need to be paired with better athletes on that end to stay out of mismatches.
Jakucionis rebounding ability is worth noting as well as he averaged 5.7 rebounds per game and is willing to play physical.
The Heat believe his edge and IQ can close the gap. As Simon put it: “He’ll be an astute learner in our defensive systems.”
National Perspective: A Steal at 20
ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony ranked Jakucionis No. 11 on his top 100 board and called it “surprising” that the Lithuanian guard slid to 20. But any disappointment over falling out of the lottery, he noted, was likely short-lived:
“Any temporary disappointment over the money he lost was probably 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.”
Givony praised Miami as an ideal landing spot, citing Jakucionis’ “culture and toughness” fit and his ability to play multiple backcourt roles. He called the pick his favorite of the draft outside the top 10.
“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.”
His national media backing further cements what the Heat clearly believe: they got their guy, and he might be more than just a rotation piece. He might be a building block.
I struggled to find anyone who believes Jakucionis was a bade for the selection for the Heat except one National media member who has his own history with the franchise.
Trade Context: The Butler Deal
The Heat’s selection of Jakucionis also takes on more meaning in light of the blockbuster trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Golden State. In return, Miami received Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Davion Mitchell, and the No. 20 pick — which became Jakucionis.
In essence, Miami turned an aging star into a defensive wing (Wiggins), a gritty guard (Mitchell), a versatile veteran (Anderson), and a high-upside young playmaker. The Heat didn’t just rebuild — they reshaped.
Long-Term Outlook
Jakucionis projects as a high-IQ second-unit playmaker with eventual starter potential. If his shot stabilizes and he cuts down on turnovers, he could become the kind of steady, creative guard every contender needs — someone who makes others better and raises the floor of a team’s offense. If not, he still profiles as a valuable bench piece with international experience, toughness, and leadership.
The floor is high. The ceiling? Higher than where he was drafted.