MIAMI \u2014 For the first time since 2005, the Miami Heat have made a first-round pick in the NBA draft for a fourth consecutive year.<\/p>\n
The streak of selections continued Wednesday night with the Heat selecting Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis at the No. 20 draft slot acquired from the Golden State Warriors at the Feb. 6 NBA trading deadline in the Jimmy Butler trade.<\/p>\n
The addition of the 6-foot-6 passing playmaker who was expected to go earlier, viewed as a potential lottery pick, continues a youth movement of Heat first-round selections Nikola Jovic (2022), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (2023) and Kel\u2019el Ware (2024).<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it was important for us to make this pick tonight,\u201d said Adam Simon, the Heat\u2019s Vice President, Basketball Operations\/Assistant General Manager. \u201cI think we\u2019re really happy with the young players we have.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Kas is going to come in and fit.\u201d<\/p>\n
The last time the Heat made first-round selections in four consecutive years was when they went with Caron Butler in 2002, Dwyane Wade in 2003, Dorell Wright in 2004 and Wayne Simien in 2005.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so excited,\u201d Jakucionis said from the draft at Brooklyn\u2019s Barclays Center, downplaying his fall to No. 20.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just grateful for this moment to be in this place with this opportunity to get my name called. It\u2019s special for me. That was what I was working for all my life since I was little and that was my dream. But now this is just the beginning and everything starts from new.\u201d<\/p>\n
A clear sign of his unexpected fall was acknowledgement that he did not work out for the Heat ahead of the draft.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe tried to get him in, but they didn\u2019t think he would be there at twenty,\u201d Simon said.<\/p>\n
As for the fall from the lottery range, Simon said, \u201cI think looking at this draft it was a little unpredictable who would go higher or lower.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the comps with Jakucionis has been to former Heat guard Goran Dragic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe playmaking ability is what I do,\u201d Jakucionis said. \u201cI\u2019m just grateful to play with guys like (Bam) Adebayo. We can play together in pick-and-rolls. And Tyler Herro and all those kinds of players. I\u2019m just very happy and grateful to be in this place.\u201d<\/p>\n
As noted by ESPN, Jakucionis was one of two freshmen this past season to\u00a0average at least 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, with No. 1 overall picks Cooper Flagg the other.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat he has is a toughness to him,\u201d Simon said. \u201cHe has an edge.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Heat\u2019s own pick Wednesday night previously had been dealt, with the Oklahoma City Thunder utilizing that No. 15 selection on Georgetown big man Thomas Sorber.<\/p>\n
Going ahead of the Heat\u2019s selection at No. 20 were Flagg, Dylan Harper. V.J. Edgecombe, Kon Knueppel, Ace Bailey, Tre Johnson, Jeremiah Fears, Egor Demin, Collin Murray-Boyles, Khaman Maluach, Cedric Coward, Noa Essengue, Derik Queen, Carter Bryant, Sorber, Hansen Yang, Joan Beringer, Walter Clayton Jr. and Nolan Traore,<\/p>\n
Clayton, who went to the Utah Jazz at No. 18, was among those who had strongly been linked to the Heat ahead of the draft.<\/p>\n
Among those also still on the board when the Heat selected at No. 20 were Liam McNeeley, Jase Richardson, Nique Clifford, Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf, Will Riley, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Asa Newell, Rasheer Fleming, Drake Powell and Maxime Raynaud.<\/p>\n
The scouting report at NBA.com ahead of the draft on Jaku\u010dionis read, \u201cAn adept playmaker capable of scoring or passing from anywhere on the floor. At 6-foot-6 with good footwork, feel for the game and shooting touch, he can play many roles, including that of a primary playmaker. He easily sets up his teammates, threading the needle for easy scoring opportunities. Despite not being an elite athlete, Jaku\u010dionis can also create his shot with quality dribbling, hesitation moves and a developing stepback jumper. His understanding of angles and advantages allowed him to average 5.1 free throw attempts per game. On defense, he isn\u2019t elite but is solid enough to thrive in a scheme.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of Jakucionis,\u00a0 ESPN evaluated ahead of the draft, \u201cAmong the most polished pick-and-roll playmakers in this class, Jakucionis flashed a promising blend of size, feel, vision and toughness for much of the season. Though the scrutiny of carrying an offense through the rigorous Big Ten slate at 18 years old took a toll on him at times, the talent he flashed in his brightest moments leaves considerable room for optimism around his NBA transition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of Jakucionis,\u00a0 Yahoo\u2019s scouting report read, \u201cA slick shot-creator with a creative passing gene and a fearless scoring ability, carving up defenses with crafty finishes, step-back jumpers, and jaw-dropping passes. But as a freshman he\u2019d follow up those highlights with turnover brain-farts that derail the hype train.\u201d<\/p>\n
And in its scouting report, The Athletic wrote, \u201cJaku\u010dionis is a tremendously skilled basketball player, who can dribble, pass, shoot, process the game at a high level and has good positional size.\u00a0 Think of something in this respect like a better passing Bogdan Bogdanovic. Jaku\u010dionis is also a truly special passer.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the NBA\u2019s draft guide, Illinois teammate Ben Humrichous was quoted as saying of Jakucionis, \u201cIt\u2019s really fun to play with KJ. He has a really, really great knack for finding shooters when they\u2019re open. If you watch him, he does a really great job of manipulating the defense with his eyes. When you\u2019re with KJ, it\u2019s just always staying ready \u2013 ready to shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe pick is in! pic.twitter.com\/KjbVdV1xku<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
On a night there had been an expected flurry of trades, possibly including the Heat at No. 20, those largely were limited to moves involving draft selections, current and future.<\/p>\n
\nInside the War Room. #NBADraft<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/IcXghnRK63<\/a><\/p>\n