The Miami Heat are one team with a balanced group of both young stars and experienced veterans. Over the past few years, the Heat have drafted well with their first-round draft selections including Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic. Their draft class last offseason has made some noise but hasn't been very active when it comes to rotational minutes.
Bleacher Report released a new article, grading every NBA team's rookie class so far this season. The Heat's first-round pick from last offseason, Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis, is the most notable rookie on the roster. The Heat received a "B-" grade.
"Kasparas Jakucionis recently enjoyed a stretch as a starting guard with the Miami Heat, putting up 6.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 21.6 minutes over eight starts,” the article wrote. “He's recently caught fire from deep in a return to a reserved role, going 12-of-16 from three over the last two games while averaging 21.0 points and 3.5 assists. The 20th overall pick has good size for the position. Myron Gardner has exceeded expectations on a two-way deal, playing his way into the rotation on some nights and even starting three games."
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. However, over the last month, he has really turned it around as he has earned legitimate minutes in the rotation. With Tyler Herro out, Jakucionis is shooting an impressive 45 percent from three-point range.
Outside of Jakucionis, the Heat don't have many notable rookies. Myron Gardner, on a two-way contract, has become a solid mainstay in the rotation since the beginning of Jan. He is averaging 4.2 points, three rebounds and one assist while shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range.
The Heat's final rookie is Vladislav Goldin who, like Gardner, is currently on a two-way deal. He has seen limited minutes and hasn't been viewed this season as a meaningful contributor. However, the Michigan product, is having a solid campaign with the Skyforce and could find a bigger role with the Heat in the future.
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