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Ira Winderman: Nikola Jovic also has to be open to what is needed, which, at the moment, looks like time in a power role. In some ways, with the current composition of the roster, Niko stands as somewhat of a swing player. If he can make the same jump that Jaime Jaquez Jr. did last year, then he could prove invaluable. But that means better finishing and more of a willingness to play toward the betterment of the team. There is value there. But, agreed, it has to be rebuilt as he begins his four-year extension. At the moment, not sure anyone is taking on that contract without significant sweeteners, the type of sweeteners the Heat largely lack.
The Heat, however, are a little thin after they traded four young players -- Herro, Ware, Jaquez Jr. and Jakucionis -- for Antetokounmpo and lost Powell in free agency. LeBron James' focus on picking the team best positioned to win a title might have negatively affected the Heat's standing. (And no, their YouTube gaffe didn't play a role in this decision.)
Forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. knew the Miami Heat could trade him this offseason. But when the trade actually happened, the news still hit him hard. “I knew that it was definitely a possibility that it was going to happen,” Jaquez said on Friday while watching the Milwaukee Bucks and Heat face off in a Las Vegas Summer League game. “But you’re never truly prepared for what it does. So, once I got the news, it was definitely devastating for sure. I love Miami. I love this city. It really felt like home to me. “But with that being said, man, I’m super excited to get with this new team. I feel like there’s a lot of opportunity for me in Milwaukee. And I’m really just happy to get out there and make my mark there in Milwaukee.”
Now, Ware can continue his growth alongside three former Heat teammates in Milwaukee. The Heat traded guard Tyler Herro, forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. and guard Kasparas Jakucionis along with Ware to the Bucks. “That helps out a lot more,” Ware said of being traded to the Bucks with Herro, Jaquez and Jakucionis. “Some guys, they get traded by themselves. So I would say it helps to have three guys with me.”
Instead of dealing Jovic in the Antetokounmpo deal, the Heat traded guard Tyler Herro, forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., guard Kasparas Jakucionis, center Kel’el Ware and a haul of draft capital to the Milwaukee Bucks to acquire Antetokounmpo and veteran forward Bobby Portis. “I was happy that I stayed,” Jovic said after going through a workout on Wednesday in Las Vegas, where the Heat and the rest of the NBA are spending the next few weeks for summer league. “I thought I was probably not going to be here. But I’m really happy. Obviously, not only because I’m going to share the court and play with [Antetokounmpo], but I’m also happy that I’m going to be able to learn from one of the greatest power forwards ever. The way he lives, the way he treats basketball, and stuff like that. “
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Anthony Chiang: Jaime Jaquez Jr. posted this message on his IG today: "To Heat Nation, I just want to say thank you for embracing and supporting me over the past 3 years. The city of Miami will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you to the coaches and staff as well as the front office for giving me an opportunity to live out my dreams of playing in the NBA. It will always be love Miami."
Ira Windhorst: Bucks GM Jon Horst, "We're excited to welcome Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez and Kasparas Jakucionis to Bucks basketball. Each brings talent, versatility, competitiveness and a team-first mentality that builds our culture and identity."
Your Miami HEAT announced today that they have acquired NBA Champion, Two-Time NBA MVP and 10-time NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and NBA Champion Bobby Portis Jr. from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakučionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, three first round picks (2026, 2031 & 2033), a 2030 first round pick swap and a 2033 second round pick. “The announcement of today’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. is one of the great trades in HEAT history,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “In my opinion, Giannis is one of the top five players in the league and Bobby is one of the best power forwards. The difficult part is trading Tyler, Kasparas, Jaime and Kel’el who have given so much to this organization, we wish them nothing but the best. I also want to thank the Arison’s for their continued pursuit towards winning a championship and we feel this gives us a better opportunity moving forward. I want to welcome Giannis and Bobby to the Miami HEAT family.”
Per league sources, the Heat attempted to include point guard Davion Mitchell in the deal instead of Jakucionis. However, because Mitchell is entering the final year of his deal, as are Herro and Jaquez Jr., the Bucks made it clear that they had no interest in three of the four players in the deal having one season remaining. So the Bucks pushed for, and landed, Jakucionis. The 20-year-old, 6-foot-5 guard has three guaranteed seasons left on his rookie deal, including two team options.
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Bobby Marks: I'm still in the belief it's Miami because when you look at Giannis Antetokounmpo, it's the superstar checklist of three things that Miami has here: It's the win-now player. When you look at a player like Tyler Herro, remember you've got to get to $47-48 million in salary just to send out. Herro makes $33 million as an expiring contract. Then you look at young players like Kel'el Ware Ware and Jaime Jaquez, two players on rookie deals. And then it's the draft picks. Remember, Milwaukeee's got the 10th pick in the draft. Miami's got the 13th pick in the draft. They can send two future picks in 30 and 32. They've got some swap rights here. So, I do think Miami's got right now the best package out there, but we've got to get some clarity here.
The Heat were aggressive in trying to land Giannis Antetokounmpo at the February trade deadline, when league sources say they thought a deal would get done before the Bucks ultimately backed away. This time around, with league sources indicating that the package is likely to include Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., either Pelle Larsson or Kasparas Jakučionis and draft capital (they can offer up to three first round picks), Miami is still widely seen as the frontrunner in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.