Jakucionis 6-of-6 from the FT line in loss

Shipped to Milwaukee after one season as part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, Jakučionis started Wednesday because the Bucks held out Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro and Kevin Porter Jr. The second-year guard had his moments, leading the Bucks in assists and making 11 free throws. However, Jakučionis also committed five turnovers, which isn’t surprising for a young guard who played limited minutes as a rookie. Given Milwaukee’s perimeter depth, Jakučionis may struggle to earn consistent minutes this season. While that makes him a non-factor in redraft leagues, he should be rostered in dynasty leagues.

The Bucks viewed Jakučionis as a key player in their negotiations with the Heat over Giannis Antetokounmpo, so it’s safe to assume they’ll do everything they can to make the second-year guard a key contributor next season. In his unofficial Bucks debut, the 6-foot-6 guard shot 0-of-7 from inside the arc. The good news was that Jakučionis did a good job of setting up teammates, and he shot 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. While he isn’t a lock to be fantasy-relevant next season, Jakučionis is worth keeping an eye on.

Amick, citing league sources, reports the Heat initially attempted to include Davion Mitchell in the trade rather than Jakučionis. With Mitchell on an expiring contract, the Bucks wanted a player with more time remaining on their rookie contract. It was a reasonable ask considering two of the other players the Bucks acquired (Tyler Herro and Jaimie Jaquez Jr.) are also on expiring deals. The Bucks held out and landed Jakučionis, who has three years left on his contract. He remains an intriguing dynasty asset on the rebuilding Bucks.

Miami lead executive Pat Riley has reportedly landed his most recent “big fish,” and Jakučionis is among the players headed in the other direction. The 20th overall pick in the 2025 draft, the former Illinois standout averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 three-pointers in 53 appearances as a rookie. Shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 87.9 percent from the foul line, injuries led to Jakučionis making 12 starts. With Milwaukee clearly on a rebuilding path, the 6-foot-6 guard is worth keeping an eye on in redraft leagues, but he is not a “must-draft” player yet. However, Jakučionis’ ceiling in dynasty leagues has been raised with the reported trade.

Herro and Mitchell are available for Sunday’s regular-season finale after not playing in Friday’s win over the Wizards. Their returns will push Simone Fontecchio and Kasparas Jakučionis to the bench, with the former offering a higher ceiling when used in a reserve role. A win over the Hawks, combined with a Hornets loss to the Knicks, would move Miami into the No. 9 seed. They would host the 9 vs. 10 game on Wednesday night.

The Heat will not have Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro or Norman Powell for Friday’s game, with the absences of the first two creating openings in the starting lineup. Jakučions and Ware will move into the starting lineup, with Fontecchio replacing Pelle Larsson.

Mitchell, who recorded his fifth double-double of the season in Thursday’s loss to the Raptors, is out with a right shoulder contusion. His absence likely means a spot start for rookie Kasparas Jakučionis, who has seldom merited streaming in fantasy leagues this season.

Mitchell is dealing with a right shoulder contusion, and “Off Night” could get a night off. Kasparas Jakučionis could see some extra run if Mitchell is ultimately ruled out.

Herro is dealing with a sore right foot, but the probable tag suggests that he will be available on Saturday. If he can’t play, Kasparas Jakučionis and Kel’el Ware are potential replacements in the starting lineup. Ware offers a higher streaming ceiling when allowed to start.

Herro is back after sitting out the last two games with a quad injury, and his return pushes Kasparas Jakučionis to the bench. Also of note is Norman Powell coming off the bench in his return from a back injury, leaving Larsson in the starting lineup.