After disappointing in the playoffs, the Miami Heat has to optimize their roster for next season to ensure a more competitive campaign. To make that happen, Pat Riley and company must consider trading emerging forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. to improve the Jimmy Butler-led team.
Jaquez has emerged as one of the standout rookies in the 2023-24 NBA season, earning multiple Rookie of the Month honors. Despite being drafted outside the lottery, the young forward has made an immediate impact for the Miami Heat, especially in times when key players like Butler were inactive.
Jaquez’s strength lies in his basketball IQ, footwork, and touch around the rim, which have allowed him to thrive as a scorer in the NBA. He has proven to be a capable defender as well, with high rates of deflections and steals. However, there are some concerns about his long-term upside, particularly his limited ball-handling and passing ability, as well as his inconsistent outside shooting.
While Jaquez may not possess the star-level potential of some other top rookies, his well-rounded game and fit within the Heat’s system make him a valuable contributor right away. As the Heat look to recapture their postseason success from last season, Jaquez’s ability to seamlessly integrate into their system could be crucial in helping the team win now. His growth and development will be an intriguing storyline to follow throughout the season.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. Named as Miami Heat’s Top Trade Piece
In the event Jaquez doesn’t pan out and develop into the player Miami needs, they can dangle him for other teams to pursue. Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale explained why the Heat star is his team’s top trade piece for next season.
“This all presumes the Miami Heat would entertain moving him. That’s arguable. Jimmy Butler turns 35 in September, so his timeline is now. But team president Pat Riley’s exit-interview sentiments lend themselves to a slightly more gradual approach.
Then again, Miami forked over a 2027 first-rounder for Terry Rozier last season. And this is not an organization that has embraced slow and steady strategies. It may take an All-NBA-type player to prize Jaquez from the Heat, but that’s sort of the point. He has built up enough could-be-anything equity to gain them access to targets that their future draft equity alone will not,” Favale wrote.
Last season, Jaquez averaged 11.9 points on 48 percent shooting from the field, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game. He is projected to take a leap in his sophomore year and build from a respectable rookie campaign he had with the Heat.
If he does impress next season, Miami may be enticed to get more value out of him before the trade deadline next year. When the scenario happens, expect a lot of teams to come knocking on the Heat’s door for him.
