The Heat‘s Kasparas Jakucionis wasn’t named to the All-Rookie team, but he already has his sights set on another target. The 6’5″ point guard was called up by the Lithuanian national team for July’s European World Cup qualifying tournament, reports Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (via Twitter).
The competition will overlap with the California Classic Summer League, as Lithuania will be in action on July 2 and July 5, but will not interfere with the Las Vegas Summer League. Winderman adds that the team expects Jakucionis to be a participant in the Vegas portion of Summer League.
Jakucionis played 53 games for Miami this season, including 12 starts, and averaged 6.2 points and 2.6 assists in 17.8 minutes per contest while hitting 42.3% of his threes.
We have more notes on the Heat:
- Miami has pick No. 13 in the 2026 draft, and is preparing for all possibilities, Anthony Chiang writes for the Miami Herald. The team has done well with late lottery picks in the past, with Tyler Herro selected at 13th overall and Bam Adebayo a 14th overall pick. “I think you’re just zooming in on your range,” said vice president of basketball operations Adam Simon. “I think the further back you go, the bigger the range of players. The closer you go to the top, the range gets smaller. Otherwise, it’s the same process.” The Heat are also open to using the pick in a trade, though such a deal would have to be completed on or after draft day, due to the rules prohibiting teams from trading away consecutive first-round picks.
- The Heat missed the playoffs entirely this season after losing consecutive first-round series in the two previous years. This inability to position themselves as a true threat in the East has the team at something of a crossroads this summer, Keith Smith writes in his offseason preview for Spotrac. The Heat will undoubtedly look at a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, but they are also a year away from opening up substantial cap space. They also have potential free agent decisions to make on Andrew Wiggins, who holds a player option, and Norman Powell, two veterans who helped keep the ship afloat at times this season. With Adebayo approaching 30, Smith writes that while this summer isn’t a “now or never” situation, it’s getting closer.
- While the Heat are watching the playoffs from afar, the various series outcomes could still impact the team’s future, Barry Jackson writes for the Herald. The Cavaliers and Knicks have both gotten to the conference finals, which could convince team leadership that they don’t need to go all-out for an Antetokounmpo trade. On the other side of that coin, the disappointing endings for the Pistons and Celtics could push either team to make a big move. The Rockets and Timberwolves could also send a compelling offer to the Bucks after bowing out earlier than expected, Jackson writes.
Massive was a title in Toronto so he’s got legitimate credibility, but he also couldn’t maintain that success in the years afterwards. His draft record was rather spotty too, taking several long shots on players with length, athleticism and potential over players with developed basketball skills and a feel for the game. Although, with Dallas not having much control over their first rounders for the next half decade, he might not have much of a chance to pooch draft picks. As a Raptors fan, I’m grateful for the title Masai helped bring to Toronto and I wish him well in Dallas. I’m going to be interested in seeing the direction he goes with the 9th overall pick this year.
Nothing is going to change until Spo goes which will only happen when Pat steps down. The handling of Ware and Jacquez has been shaky at best and why? Pat is a coach first and foremost. Whatever talent they draft or acquire, had he been coaching them, would perform differently under him. Pat cannot fire Spo because he created Spo so it would be akin to firing himself. No matter what they do this Pella Larsson-led team will be stuck in mediocrity until Spo goes. I know my take will piss many off but those are the facts.
If this team did win the Lebron lotto they’d already have fired Riley and should now. No one wants to sign with that guy after what they did to Butler.