"Jaquez Jr. had a decent enough rookie season after being drafted by the Heat in 2023. He averaged almost 12 points a night, grabbed almost four rebounds a game, and shot over 48% from the field. But last year all those numbers dipped, and by the end of the season, he was relegated to bench and mop-up duty. At the core of the issues for Jaquez Jr. last season is that his shooting just wasn't good enough, and it didn't take a progression forward."
"Larsson had a massive summer between his stint in the Summer League and his stint at EuroBasket and has catapulted himself into the conversation of being a mainstay in Miami's rotation this season. Now, as we know, being a summer league star and being a useful player in a real NBA game can be two different things. But if Larsson continues to progress himself, he actually has the potential to bring more to the table than JJJ given Larsson's willingness to drive to the hoop"
Jaime Jaquez Jr. produced solid rookie numbers in 2023 but regressed last season, seeing reduced minutes and a bench role as his shooting failed to progress. The Heat traded Haywood Highsmith, creating an opportunity for Jaquez to reclaim 25+ minutes per night in 2025-26. Pelle Larsson posted a strong summer showing across Summer League and EuroBasket and has entered the rotation conversation due to his attacking play and willingness to drive to the hoop. Larsson carries a contract that will cost about $4 million less in 2026-27, and continued progress could make Jaquez expendable or a trade asset.
Read at All U Can Heat
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