Heading into the NBA offseason, the Miami Heat will have its hands full with a number of big decisions. One of the most underrated ones that will have a huge impact on their future is whether they will give Jaime Jaquez Jr. an early contract extension or not.
While it may be an on-the-table option this summer for Jaquez Jr., especially after enjoying a breakout year, there's an argument to be made that the Heat should be wary of falling into the same mistake they have seemingly made with Nikola Jovic.
Will the Heat give Jaime Jaquez Jr. an extension?
Jaquez Jr. will be eligible for a rookie-scale contract extension this summer, just like Jovic was last offseason. The Heat decided it was a smart move to give Jovic an early extension, and that move has aged like milk this season.
It's way too early to label the extension for Jovic a complete bust, but it's a move that I'm sure the Heat's front office has likely had second thoughts about this season.
Because of that, the Heat could be extremely careful when it comes to making a similar decision with Jaquez Jr.
In theory, Jaquez Jr. has done more than Jovic had to earn a contract extension, but Miami has to be hesitant after watching how quickly it all unraveled for the young, blossoming forward after that decision last summer.
The Heat's uncertain future could force their hand
But while a Jaquez Jr. extension could make sense, the Heat's uncertain future could very well kill any hopes of things playing out that way. Again, the Heat has several big decisions to make, with Jaquez Jr. probably falling down the totem pole of priorities.
Miami must figure out what the future holds for Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins, who could both have the option to test unrestricted free agency this offseason. They'll also need to navigate through the dangerous waters of Tyler Herro entering the final year of his deal.
On top of all that, the Heat are very much expected to be in the mix for Giannis Antetokounmpo again, if he were to hit the trade market.
Balancing all that, including a potential early decision on Jaquez Jr., will be extremely tough for the organization. But, at least to a certain extent, if the Heat does move forward with a Jaquez Jr. decision, they need to be all but certain it's not going to end up in the absolute disaster that the Jovic extension has been.
As most things for the Heat have been, that's going to be much easier said than done.