Heat guard Kasparas Jakucionis wound up playing in 53 games, including 12 starts, during the regular season. The Miami brass was pleased with his progress, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald writes.
“I’m very encouraged by the progress that he’s made,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s willed himself through his work and consistent actions to be pretty consistent in our rotation the last several weeks. That was hard-earned. “He’s a lot better now than where he was coming into training camp, and certainly where he was in summer league. But he’s relentless, and he wants to get better. You have to respect his competitive spirit. He’s a competitor out there, even as a young player, so he’ll continue to get better.”
Jakucionis scored in double figures in three of his last seven games and also had a nine-assist performance against Washington earlier this month.
Here’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Despite an erratic season, Simone Fontecchio would like to re-sign with the Heat, Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops.net relays. He’ll be a free agent after the season. “I’d love to stay here,” Fontecchio told Italy’s Sky Sports. “I wouldn’t want to move my family again because we’re great in Miami. Just as importantly, I feel really comfortable with everyone here, from the owners to the coaching staff, and especially in this locker room, which is special because of the group it’s created.” Fontecchio has appeared in 70 games but his playing time and production wasn’t consistent. He has averaged 8.5 points in 16.7 minutes per game.
- In his Offeason Guide, ESPN’s Bobby Marks says the top offseason priorities for the Wizards are the contract situations regarding Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Young has a June 23 deadline to either exercise his $49MM player option or become an unrestricted free agent. Young is eligible to sign a three-year, $156.9MM extension until June 30, with the first year of that deal replacing the player option for next season. Young could also opt-in and sign an extension after free agency begins. Davis cannot become a free agent but is eligible to sign a four-year extension on Aug. 6. The first year of the extension would replace his $62.8MM option for 2027/28.
- While the Magic’s season won’t end if they lose a play-in game at Philadelphia 0n Wednesday, it will call into question the direction of the franchise, Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel opines. Bianchi believes it stands as a referendum as to the progress they’ve made in recent years.