Biggest Miami Heat overreactions from 2025 NBA Summer League

The buzz around Miami’s first-round pick, Kasparas Jakucionis, hit a fever pitch after his breakout performance in Las Vegas. Against the Hawks, he poured in 24 points on efficient shooting, dazzling with his poise, court vision, and shot-making. In the first half, he looked every bit the part of a future star, attacking off the dribble, finding open teammates, and knocking down threes. Social media quickly anointed him as the next face of the franchise, with some fans already penciling him into the starting lineup for opening night.

But let’s pump the brakes. Jakucionis followed his hot start with a quieter second half and a more pedestrian outing against the Cavaliers, finishing with just 6 points. His Summer League stat lines have been uneven, and he’s still learning the NBA pace and physicality. Summer League is notorious for producing one-game wonders who fade when the real games begin. While Jakucionis’s skill set is promising, expecting him to carry the Heat as a rookie is a leap. Miami has a strong developmental track record, but even their best prospects, think Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro, needed time to adjust. The flashes are real, but the overreaction is crowning him as the franchise savior before he’s played a regular-season minute.

Kel’el Ware’s Double-Doubles Mean He’s Ready to Start

Kel’el Ware, the Heat’s athletic big man, turned heads with his energy and production on both ends. He’s racked up rebounds, blocked shots, and even stepped out to hit a three in Vegas, leading some to declare that he’s ready to leapfrog Miami’s veteran centers and start on opening night. Ware’s length and mobility have been on full display, and he’s shown a willingness to run the floor and finish lobs, classic Heat big man traits.

However, Summer League competition is a far cry from the nightly grind of NBA centers. Ware’s rebounding numbers, while impressive, have come against undersized and often disorganized frontcourts. He’s also struggled with foul trouble and defensive positioning, issues that will be magnified against NBA starters. The Heat value experience and defensive discipline at the five, and Ware’s learning curve will be steep. His Summer League success is encouraging, but the notion that he’s ready to anchor Miami’s frontcourt from day one is an overreaction. Expect him to earn minutes, but not to supplant established veterans just yet.

The Heat’s Summer League Struggles Signal a Lost Season

After dropping their first two games in Las Vegas, blowing a 13-point fourth quarter lead to the Hawks and getting out-rebounded by 16 against the Cavaliers, some are sounding the alarm bells for Miami’s future. The narrative goes: if the Heat’s young core can’t compete in Summer League, how can they possibly contend in the East this year? The lack of cohesion, poor rebounding, and inconsistent shooting have fueled the pessimism.

This is classic Summer League overreaction. The Heat’s roster is a mix of rookies, fringe NBA players, and G League hopefuls, many of whom won’t be on the opening night roster. Summer League is designed for experimentation, not wins and losses. Miami’s front office uses these games to evaluate talent, not to chase trophies. Last year’s championship squad featured players who barely saw NBA minutes. The Heat’s real core, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and now Norman Powell, aren’t suiting up in July. While the losses sting, they’re not predictive of the season to come. Miami’s culture is built on development, and Summer League is just the first step. The overreaction is treating these results as a referendum on the franchise’s direction.

In the end, Summer League is about glimpses, not guarantees. The Heat’s 2025 campaign has given fans plenty to talk about, but the biggest overreactions are just that—overreactions. The real story will be written when the games start to count.