The Miami Heat have done it again.
Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra have always been great at finding talent in the NBA Draft and the undrafted free agent pool, and they may have struck gold with their first-round selection.
At least, that’s how NBA analyst Adam Finkelstein feels.
Talking on CBS Sports, he raved about Kasparas Jakucionis, who he believes has the potential to be one of the steals of the NBA Draft.
“If you are a Heat fan right now, you are ecstatic about this,” Finkelstein said.
"If you are a Heat fan right now, you are ecstatic about this."@AdamFinkelstein believes Miami did it again with another great first-round pick in PG Kasparas Jakucionis. pic.twitter.com/RhS6LhnSxn
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) June 26, 2025
Like most Lithuanian-born players, Jakucionis boasts an impressive basketball IQ, work ethic, and feel for the game.
He posted impressive numbers at Illinois despite not shooting the ball as well as he did overseas and piling up a high turnover ratio.
Then again, we’re talking about an experienced young man who’s used to playing against professionals from his background in Europe.
He’s going to be joining one of the toughest conditioning programs in all of professional basketball.
Just like Finkelstein pointed out, being picked at No. 20 despite being projected to be taken much higher just put a huge chip on his shoulder, and if someone knows how to push a player’s buttons, it’s definitely Erik Spoelstra.
The Heat have been looking for a lead guard for years now, but to no avail.
Jakucionis should be in for a big role right out of the gate, most likely taking the ball up the court next to Tyler Herro.
The Heat continue to put together an intelligent and dynamic team with high-motor competitors.
NEXT: Lakers Are Reportedly Favorites To Land Heat Star If He's Traded
