Key young players will need to make an impression for the Miami Heat as a trade for superstar Damian Lillard is not currently in the cards.
There is no doubt that the Miami Heat need additional firepower.
The Heat will try to build a name for themselves and make it through the Eastern Conference again the next season after an impressive run but disappointing loss in the 2023 NBA Finals. Damian Lillard, a veteran Portland Trail Blazers superstar who had lost a few important players to their run in the summer, would undoubtedly contribute to making it happen.
However, Portland hasn’t yet responded to the Heat’s purported trade offers. They are satisfied to start the season with Lillard until a team can boost the ante because they reportedly don’t appreciate what Miami has to give in terms of a package.
Miami is now plainly obvious as Lillard’s preferred location. Nevertheless, he might arrive somewhere else at any moment.
The squad will probably have to rely on a plethora of young players to make up for lost output if Lillard simply can’t find his way to the Heat, starting with new youngster Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The 22-year-old Jaquez, who was selected 18th overall out of UCLA, rose rapidly in the 2023 draft. And quite rightly so, given his mix of stature, shooting ability, and potential overall effect.
Jaquez, who is approximately 6-foot-8 and has a much bigger game than one might expect, can probably fit into either forward position. And will surely carry out this action to help the Heat.
Rookies typically don’t have a big winning impact. But compared to one-and-done players or other young players, Jaquez’s four years with the Bruins are certain to have better prepared him for the NBA.
The Heat may also be ready to rely on second-year players Nikola Jokic, selected 27th overall in last year’s draft, or even second-year player Orlando Robinson, who went undrafted but came dangerously close to winning the 2023 Summer League MVP Award.
Next season, if none of these players are getting any playing time for the Heat, it might well mean that Lillard is.