As it stands today, the Miami Heat roster is a first- or second-round playoff team. What the Heat gave up for Giannis Antetokounmpo was not just players, but core depth players who were ascending (not including Tyler Herro, who needed a change of scenery) and improving with each season.
Playoff-contention projections can change if the Heat land LeBron James or significantly upgrade their bench. The offseason isn't over yet, but all that means is more time for Heat fans to mourn the loss of not just a fan favorite, but one of the Heat's best young players, a player who fit perfectly in Eric Spoelstra's system.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. just had his best NBA season, which likely worked against him in trade discussions by increasing his value. That said, Jaquez was showing the type of player he could be even before this past season. Any team the Heat were looking to make a big trade with would have asked for Jaquez in return. Miami made that decision, and if things with Antetokounmpo don't pan out, sacrificing Jaquez will be a much bigger deal.
Trading Jaime Jaquez Jr. could come back to bite the Miami Heat if their Giannis Antetokounmpo gamble fails
It was a gamble. Trading for Antetokounmpo carried two significant risks attached: One, he's had injuries pile up more recently, and two, his acquisition demanded a haul in return. As I mentioned above, only acquiring Antetokounmpo doesn't change much about Miami's postseason chances next season, considering how much they lost in the trade.
Losing Jaquez is a deep cut, unlike the losses of Kel'el Ware and Kasparas Jakučionis, from which Miami would have no problem recovering. Jaquez is different, though, because of the trajectory he was on and his increasing promise as an NBA player. It also goes further than the floor and into the stands and into the hearts of fans, who grew to love Jaquez in the three seasons he spent in Miami.
Recently, Jaquez spoke about the trade publicly, and didn't shy away from speaking his true feelings about going from the Heat to the Bucks.
"It was definitely devastating for sure. I love Miami. It really felt like home to me," Jaquez said accoring to the Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang.
Jaquez faces a new challenge now, but will hopefully continue on in Milwaukee, where he left off in Miami. One thing will be different, however. Next season, Jaquez will be able to chase another Sixth Man of the Year nomination because you can bet he'll be starting for the Bucks, given the state of their current roster.
So while Jaquez can hopefully continue to flourish elsewhere, the Heat are hoping this gamble they've taken on works out. Otherwise, sacrificing Jaquez will become a much more important deal down the road. He would have been great in Miami for years to come; he was the perfect Heat player.
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