Jaquez addresses Giannis trade buzz: ‘It’s just the way it is being on a Miami Heat team’
Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. is coming off the best season of his young NBA career, but he’s right back to where he was before the start of his rookie season — in trade rumors.
With the Heat among the teams most aggressively pursuing a trade for Milwaukee Bucks two-time NBA MVP and nine-time All-NBA forward Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, Jaquez has been among the names speculated to be in Miami’s potential trade package for Antetokounmpo. Jaquez was also involved in trade rumors connected to the Heat’s pursuit of Damian Lillard during the 2023 offseason, but Lillard was ultimately dealt to the Bucks shortly after Jaquez was drafted by Miami with the 18th overall pick that summer.
“I feel like it’s just the way it is being on a Miami Heat team,” Jaquez said from the NBA House in São Paulo on Friday afternoon during a Zoom call with reporters. “I think that it’s kind of normal. I’ve been here for what, three years now? And every summer there’s a big rumor. So I’ve kind of just gotten used to it. It’s nice to get out of the country and see new things, and Brazil is beautiful.”
Jaquez isn’t focused on trade rumors at the moment. Instead, he’s focused on making the most of his offseason, which took him to Brazil this week for part of the NBA Finals to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the NBA House and reinforce Brazil’s importance as one of the league’s leading international markets.
“I try my best to stay off X, Instagram, all social media,” Jaquez added. “Just kind of focus on what I need to focus on. And that’s continuing to grow my game and get better as an individual. Whatever happens with the team, that’s all up to the owners and front office. But as for us guys, all we can really do is just continue to work on our game. I’m going to be playing basketball next year, whether it’s in Miami or somewhere else. So just got to stay ready.”
Jaquez, who finished as the runner-up for this past season’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year award that went to San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, is working to become an even more complete player next season amid all the trade noise surrounding the Heat.
Jaquez did not receive the Sixth Man of the Year honor despite finishing this past regular season as one of only three reserves in NBA history to start fewer than 30 games and average at least 14 points, four rebounds and four assists on a true shooting percentage of at least 55%. The other two players on this list — Manu Ginobili in 2007-08 for the Spurs and Tyler Herro in 2021-22 for the Heat — won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award during that respective season.
Jaquez also led the NBA in total bench points with 1,138 last regular season. He also ranked first in total fast-break points (204), first in total paint points (734), fifth in total rebounds (367) and second in total assists (348) among reserves around the league this past regular season.
.JPG "MIA_20_Heat_vs_Magic_MJO (2).JPG")
Jaquez averaged 15.4 points, five rebounds and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 50.7% from the field and 31.7% on 2.4 three-point attempts per game last regular season. He played off the bench in 74 of his 75 appearances this season, turning into one of the engines of the Heat’s fast-paced offense through his ability to get into the paint and take advantage of smaller defenders around the basket.
This offseason, Jaquez is continuing to work on his ball-handling, three-point shooting and decision-making as a passer.
“I’ve been working a lot on my ball handling,” Jaquez said. “Obviously, last year I had the ball in my hands a lot more, I was making a lot more plays. So just continuing to get my handle tighter and as well as my shooting. We saw a big uptick in my [three-point shooting] volume post All-Star, and I was making a lot more. So I just want to keep that going, keep that momentum into next season. And then just also my decision-making and defense, and just getting my body in shape. No different than any other summer. Just trying to continue to push.”
Amid all the trade buzz, Jaquez is also eligible for an extension with the Heat. Jaquez, who still has one more season left on his rookie-scale contract, is eligible for a five-year extension at a maximum of about $245 million this summer.
“I think that’d be incredible,” Jaquez said of a potential extension with the Heat. “I think people always talk about it’s not the first contract, it’s the second one that really sets you up for a great life after basketball. So, it’s been great so far. The year that I’ve been having and the years that I’ve spent in Miami. And I think an extension would be great, obviously. That’s what players search for and I’m no different.”
But for the next few days, it won’t be about where Jaquez may or may not be dealt to this offseason. Instead, Jaquez will be experiencing part of the NBA Finals in Brazil’s NBA House, which is designed to bring fans closer to the game through interactive experiences, live entertainment and direct engagement with NBA culture.
Jaquez is one of two current NBA players making an appearance at the NBA House in Brazil, along with Brazilian Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos.
“I hope to just explore and see what the city of São Paulo has to offer,” said Jaquez, who has Mexican roots but was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. “It’s beautiful, it’s gorgeous. I’ve been in New York City, but I think Sao Paulo takes it on the number of buildings that I’ve seen in a 360 radius. I mean, it’s unbelievable.”
