The Miami Heat are well regarded as a franchise who strongly develops their young talent. Players such as Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and Jaime Jaquez Jr. have blossomed throughout their careers in Miami. However, the team's rookies this year have not made a strong impact this season.
Bleacher Report released an article, grading every NBA team’s rookie class this season. The Heat’s first-round draft pick Kasparas Jakucionis is the most notable rookie on the roster and Miami received a “C” grade.
“Kasparas Jakucionis finally made his debut this month, as a groin strain delayed his NBA career,” the article wrote. “The No. 20 overall pick got his first start against the Boston Celtics on Dec. 19 when the Miami Heat were missing Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell. Jakucionis responded with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and just one turnover, going 5-of-8 from three. Just 19 years old, Jakucionis has the chance to become a good rotation player for Miami this season with more reps. Having appeared in just four games thus far, finding the right grade is tricky.”
Jakucionis, the No. 20 selection in the draft, was originally viewed as one of the biggest steals of the first round this past offseason but after a poor Summer League performance along with his recovery from a groin injury, he was assigned to the Heat’s G-League affiliate to begin the season. With the Sioux Falls Skyforce, he has averaged over 16 points.
He joined the Heat’s rotation this month, in a small role, but hasn’t done enough to impress. At his young age, he has plenty of potential and with the strong player development history of Erik Spoelstra and company, he could improve upon this middling grade in a short period of time. In his five appearances with the Heat, he is averaging 5.8 points, two rebounds and one assist while shooting 33.3 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from three-point range.
The Heat have two other rookies on the roster. Vladislav Goldin and Myron Gardner were both signed as undrafted free agents but neither have played a decent amount of minutes this season. Goldin has appeared in one game this season while Gardner has played slightly more. Gardner has played in six games, averaging 1.8 points.
The rotation has been pretty set this season and hasn't allowed either of the three rookies to see a ton of action but the potential is there, especially with Jakucionis.