Miami’s Jakucionis Called Up by Lithuania; Heat Prepare for No. 13 Pick and Pivotal Offseason
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MIAMI — Rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis will join the Lithuanian national team for Europe’s World Cup qualifying games on July 2 and July 5, a schedule that overlaps the opening days of Summer League but leaves the NBA’s Las Vegas event unaffected. The Miami Heat expect the 6-foot-5 playmaker to report to Las Vegas after national-team duty.
Rookie Year Snapshot
Jakucionis appeared in 53 games for Miami this season and started 12. He averaged 6.2 points and 2.6 assists in 17.8 minutes while converting 42.3% of his three-point attempts. Despite missing out on All-Rookie honors, the 20-year-old now turns his focus to international play before returning for Summer League action.
Draft Position: No. 13
Miami owns the 13th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Vice president of basketball operations Adam Simon said the club is evaluating every scenario, including the possibility of trading the selection. Any deal involving the pick would have to occur on or after draft night because of league rules that bar teams from moving consecutive first-rounders. The Heat have a recent track record of success just outside the lottery’s top tier, drafting Tyler Herro 13th in 2019 and Bam Adebayo 14th in 2017.
Offseason Decisions Loom
After missing the playoffs for the first time in three years, Miami faces a critical summer. According to Spotrac, the front office is expected to explore the trade market for Giannis Antetokounmpo while also weighing internal moves that could create significant cap space in 2027. Veteran forward Andrew Wiggins holds a player option, and guard Norman Powell is set for free agency. With All-Star center Bam Adebayo nearing age 30, the organization is under increasing pressure to re-establish itself as a contender.
Playoff Outcomes Could Shift Strategy
Results elsewhere in the postseason may influence Miami’s approach. Conference-final runs by Cleveland and New York might reduce the urgency to make an aggressive bid for Antetokounmpo, while early exits by Detroit and Boston could prompt those teams to pursue major trades. Houston and Minnesota, both eliminated sooner than anticipated, are also viewed as potential suitors for the Bucks star — factors that could reshape the marketplace during the offseason.
Source: Hoops Rumors
