Now that we know Tyler Herro’s timetable for return from left ankle surgery, we also know that the Miami Heat will have to get creative with their rotation to start the season. And that could include head coach Erik Spoelstra dusting off rookie Kasparas Jakucionis earlier than anyone expected.
Despite being billed as one of the best-value picks in the draft, the 19-year-old isn’t supposed to prominently feature in the team’s rotation. The Heat have quietly assembled one of the league’s deeper rosters, which makes it harder for a rookie to carve out a regular role. Jakucionis also has not sounded like someone who expects to play a bunch of minutes right out of the gate.
Herro’s injury changes everything. He is slated to miss the next eight weeks. That puts him back in the rotation about a month or so into the season. While this may not seem like much, the Heat’s schedule to open the year isn’t what you’d call easy. Navigating life without their offensive lifeline for even a few weeks could derail their entire season.
Jakucionis might just be among the possible solutions who ensures this isn’t the case.
The Heat desperately need what Kasparas Jakucionis can do
Replacing Herro’s scoring isn’t a mindless endeavor, but Miami has options to supplant his production. The Norman Powell trade was already highway robbery, and it now looks much better. He can generate rim pressure and free-throw attempts, while drilling three-pointers galore, even without Herro feeding him the ball. Andrew Wiggins has room to ratchet up his scoring, as well.
Losing Herro’s playmaking is tougher to stomach. Bam Adebayo is an A-plus passer at his position, but he’s not as much of a live-dribble playmaker versus set defenses. Saddling him with more ball-handling also limits the use of his screening.
Miami needs a perimeter player to pick up the slack. Pelle Larsson should get plenty of reps on the ball, but he’s more of a scorer than table-setter. The Heat are about to find out whether Davion Mitchell has any additional playmaking to offer. The harsh reality is that he probably does not.
Options are wearing thin from here. Neither Terry Rozier nor Dru Smith is the answer. Jakucionis might be.
Miami should give its rookie a shot
Turnovers and all, Jakucionis flashed plenty of passing potential during his summer-league stint(s). The assist numbers do not leap off the page, but that’s a symptom of shouldering a heavier scoring burden, as well as playing alongside teammates who are still developing, and with whom he has no experience working.
Learning curves are steep for primary ball-handlers playing out their first season. The Heat should not care. They are light on half-court creators even with a healthy Herro. His absence is nothing if not a license to experiment.
Playing Jakucionis fits that mold. It could also deepen their offensive armory in ways they weren’t anticipating—potentially transforming what’s supposed to be a long-term project into somebody who can help right now, including after Herro returns.