It was an interesting introduction into the NBA for Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. the UCLA star chosen by Miami with the 18th pick in this year’s draft. Not long after he was picked, speculation about a trade for Damian Lillard began to churn and, in the process, Jaquez’s name came up as a potential chip to be sent to Portland.
It made sense. The Blazers wanted young assets and draft picks in a Holiday package, and Jaquez counts as a very young asset. But it should be noted: At no point did the Heat ever include Jaquez in their discussions with Portland.
I won’t lie, at first it was in the back of my head,” Jaquez told the Miami Herald last week. “Like what’s going to happen? Am I going to leave? You never know. But as we moved on and time went on, I just got really comfortable in my situation that whatever happens, happens. I just believe it’s all a part of a bigger plan. Things happen for a reason.
“If I stay, great. If I get traded, it was fun while it lasted. But I try not to worry about that. I can only control what I can control.
I won’t lie, at first it was in the back of my head,” Jaquez told the Miami Herald last week. “Like what’s going to happen? Am I going to leave? You never know. But as we moved on and time went on, I just got really comfortable in my situation that whatever happens, happens. I just believe it’s all a part of a bigger plan. Things happen for a reason.
“If I stay, great. If I get traded, it was fun while it lasted. But I try not to worry about that. I can only control what I can control.
The Heat also brought in former Miami guard/forward Josh Richardson, another defensive-minded playmaker who can handle three positions.
One of the challenges for Jaquez will be to take his collegiate defensive abilities and apply them to the much more difficult NBA. He also must get better at knocking down perimeter shots—he made just 31.7% of his 3s last year as a senior.
