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‘Terrible for me’… Kasparas Jakucinonis makes an admission about his start with the Miami Heat

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 10:30 AM ET

New Miami Heat rookie Kasparas Jakucionis explained what his initial run with the team was like.

The Miami Heat have decided to go in a new direction this offseason. After the Heat traded Jimmy Butler in February, the franchise knew they had to pivot.

But their summer didn’t get off to the best start, as the Heat missed out on trading for Kevin Durant, who would go on to join the Houston Rockets instead.

The Heat then shifted their focus to the younger players. The Heat picked Kasparas Jakucionis with the #20 pick, with many fans calling him the steal of the draft.

However, the young guard didn’t get off to the best start. Jakucionis didn’t impress Heat fans at the Summer League. But now, the rookie has given his side of what went down this summer.

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Kasparas Jakucionis says Miami Heat Summer League stint was ‘terrible’

Kasparas Jakucionis was a guest on the OGs podcast with Udonis Haslem. Speaking to the Miami Heat legend, he looked back on his Summer League struggles.

Jakucionis noted that for whatever reason, he wasn’t able to get things going. However, the Miami Heat point guard did use the experience to gain some valuable experience.

“It’s a process. Summer League, all the three games I played in San Francisco were terrible for me offensively.

“But… of course [I learned]. I tried to control what I could control, my effort, to compete, be a great teammate on the defensive end.

“The shots weren’t falling, or I didn’t feel well with the ball. I still tried to do the things I can control. I understand it’s a process, and it’s a long process. Watching film after every game and learning even more.”

Kasparas Jakucionis could develop into a star

Despite his struggles in the Summer League, Miami Heat fans are very high on Kasparas Jakucionis. The young point guard had a lot of hype coming into the NBA.

The fact that he fell to #20 in the 2025 NBA Draft was quite surprising. But that might be to the long-term benefit of the Miami Heat.

If Erik Spoelstra and the Heat can develop Jakucionis the right way, he could become an All-Star guard who can be a leading scorer and distributor for them.

The Heat are famous for their ability to develop young stars. And Jakucionis has shown flashes of his star potential, which the Heat will be focused on harnessing in the years to come.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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