Kasparas

Jakučionis

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.

While Herro has missed Miami’s last two games, Powell has been absent for the last seven. For Thursday’s win over the Bucks, the Heat called on Kasparas Jakučionis and Pelle Larsson to move into the starting lineup, with the former scoring 18 points. If Powell and Herro play, Jakučionis and Larsson will come off the bench.

Jakučionis started a second straight game with Tyler Herro (quad) sidelined, and this outing was far more productive than the first. He set a new career high for rebounds and had one of his most effective scoring nights of the season. Jakučionis clearly has plenty of talent and is only 19 years old, making him a valuable asset in dynasty leagues. However, his lack of consistent minutes makes him a difficult player to roster in standard leagues.