Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. on his offseason, first impression of Miami, Jimmy Butler meetup and more
It didn’t take long for forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. to see his name in NBA trade rumors.
Just days after the Heat selected Jaquez with the 18th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft in June, he was one of the players on Miami’s roster linked to a potential trade for Damian Lillard. That whirlwind of uncertainty lasted nearly three months.
But Jaquez survived that speculation and remains on the Heat’s roster, as the Portland Trail Blazers instead dealt Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.
“I won’t lie, at first it was in the back of my head,” Jaquez said earlier this 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.”
Next up for the 22-year-old Jaquez is his first NBA training camp after spending the last four seasons at UCLA. The Heat holds its annual media day at Kaseya Center on Monday before opening training camp at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton on Tuesday.
[Q&A with Heat forward Nikola Jovic]
[Q&A with Heat wing Caleb Martin]
Here’s the rest of the Miami Herald’s conversation with Jaquez ahead of his rookie season:
A shoulder injury cut your summer league short this offseason. How’s your shoulder, and how long did it take to recover from that?
“It took a little while. After summer league, it still took some time to get back. But when I ended up coming here to Miami to start working out and getting into training, it started feeling a lot better. I’m good right now. I’ve been healthy, I’ve been working out every day with the team. I’m just trying to get in the best shape possible. I feel amazing. I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life right now.”
What’s changed about your body during your first few months in the Heat’s program?
“I’ve gained weight, for sure. I stay pretty consistent in my weight fluctuation. But I’ve gained weight and cut down on body fat. So I’ve put on some muscle, which has been great. The strength team does a great job of keeping track of all that stuff and getting everybody in prime condition. So that’s what I’ve been doing. They’re happy and I’m happy.”
Where are you at right now as far as body fat?
“I think when I got there, I was about 8 percent body fat and now I’m at like 6 percent.”
Since summer league, have you spent most of your time in Miami?
“I’ve spent most of my time in Miami. I got situated. I have an apartment here now. But I’ve also been back home to California a few times. I’ve just been busy trying to grow my brand, not just as a basketball player but in business ventures, as well. I’m trying to create generational wealth with the opportunity that I have. But I’ve mostly been in Miami.”
This is your first extended stretch in Miami. What’s your first impression of the city?
“I love it. I really have no complaints. It just thunders every night. That’s one thing I’ve had to get used to. Before I go to sleep, I hear it all the time. But the people here have been nothing but amazing. I get shown a lot of love every time I go outside to get some food. Everybody has been so nice and welcoming. It’s been great.”
I know you’re of Mexican descent, do you speak Spanish?
“I speak Spanish. I wouldn’t say fluently, but I definitely can get by.”
You understand Spanish better than you speak it?
“Yeah. I think that’s kind of how it goes for a lot of people.”
What are some of your favorite Miami restaurants so far?
“Oh, man. I will say this, the food is blowing me away since I’ve been here. It’s incredible. I’ve never eaten so much fish in my life. The sushi here is incredible. I’ll go for lunch, La Sandwicherie and Casa Tua. Those are two of my favorite spots. They’re right here close to Brickell. For dinner, I like Gekko and I like Swan. Those are my two favorites.”
As for basketball, what has been your first impression of the Heat organization?
“It’s been great. It’s a lot different than college. It’s a lot more individualized and it took a little time to get adjusted. In college, you’re used to always having team practices. Now, it’s like you just do a couple workouts. But it’s been great. I’m in a routine. It makes it a lot easier when you get into a routine. You go in the morning, I get there early usually around 8 and leave at about 12. Then I go back around 5 to shoot some more.”
Which skills have been emphasized during player development work?
“Just being able to knock down shots consistently and being able to play defense. I think those are the two major things for this upcoming season.”
Who are some of the Heat veterans you’ve built a relationship with so far during offseason work?
“Kevin Love has been around a lot more, so it’s been great talking to him. Obviously, he’s a UCLA guy. Bam [Adebayo], I’ve probably seen him the most in my time in Miami. He’s just been around. They just tell me to keep it slow and be ready to shoot that thing when it gets to you. It’s going to be a long season, take it slow, one step at a time, there’s going to be ups and downs. Just stay steady through it all.”
You and Heat star Jimmy Butler created some social media buzz with the photos you guys posted together a few weeks ago, what’s the backstory behind that?
“We were doing a commercial together. We met in L.A. to do a commercial. I don’t know when it’s going to come out. I think you guys will like it. It was fun, though. It was fun getting to know him, spend the day.”
How would you rate Jimmy’s coffee?
“I’m not a big coffee guy. So I won’t answer that one. [Laughs]”
What stood out about Jimmy when you met him?
“To me, he seems like he’s the same person on TV and off. He doesn’t really change. He’s kind of the same person through and through. Nice guy. Got to talk to him, he’s a big tennis guy. He was locked in to the U.S. Open. He was taking his phone trying to watch it while we were shooting. I just thought that was hilarious.”
Are there nerves entering your first NBA training camp?
“That’s why I’ve been here this whole entire summer. I didn’t want to train anywhere else but here. I wanted to really just be ingrained in what they’re about, especially with offseason work and really get a feel for it.”
