![\"Miami](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/MIA_13_Heat_Exit_Interviews_MJO.JPG\" "\\"Miami")
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Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) participates in his team\u2019s season-ending exit interviews at the Kaseya Center on April 16, 2026, in Miami.<\/p>\n
Photo by Matias J. Ocner<\/p>\n
mocner@miamiherald.com<\/p>\n
Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. is coming off the best season of his young NBA career, but he\u2019s right back to where he was before the start of his rookie season \u2014 in trade rumors.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s potential trade package for Antetokounmpo. Jaquez was also involved in trade rumors connected to the Heat\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like it\u2019s just the way it is being on a Miami Heat team,\u201d Jaquez said from the NBA House in S\u00e3o Paulo on Friday afternoon during a Zoom call with reporters. \u201cI think that it\u2019s kind of normal. I\u2019ve been here for what, three years now? And every summer there\u2019s a big rumor. So I\u2019ve kind of just gotten used to it. It\u2019s nice to get out of the country and see new things, and Brazil is beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jaquez isn\u2019t focused on trade rumors at the moment. Instead, he\u2019s 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\u2019s importance as one of the league\u2019s leading international markets.<\/p>\n
\u201cI try my best to stay off X, Instagram, all social media,\u201d Jaquez added. \u201cJust kind of focus on what I need to focus on. And that\u2019s continuing to grow my game and get better as an individual. Whatever happens with the team, that\u2019s 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\u2019m going to be playing basketball next year, whether it\u2019s in Miami or somewhere else. So just got to stay ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jaquez, who finished as the runner-up for this past season\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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 \u2014 Manu Ginobili in 2007-08 for the Spurs and Tyler Herro in 2021-22 for the Heat \u2014 won the NBA\u2019s Sixth Man of the Year award during that respective season.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) looks for a teammate as Orlando Magic forward Noah Penda (93) defends in the first half of their NBA game at Kaseya Center on March 14, 2026, in Miami. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com <\/p>\n
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\u2019s fast-paced offense through his ability to get into the paint and take advantage of smaller defenders around the basket.<\/p>\n
This offseason, Jaquez is continuing to work on his ball-handling, three-point shooting and decision-making as a passer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been working a lot on my ball handling,\u201d Jaquez said. \u201cObviously, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019d be incredible,\u201d Jaquez said of a potential extension with the Heat. \u201cI think people always talk about it\u2019s not the first contract, it\u2019s the second one that really sets you up for a great life after basketball. So, it\u2019s been great so far. The year that I\u2019ve been having and the years that I\u2019ve spent in Miami. And I think an extension would be great, obviously. That\u2019s what players search for and I\u2019m no different.\u201d<\/p>\n
But for the next few days, it won\u2019t 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\u2019s NBA House, which is designed to bring fans closer to the game through interactive experiences, live entertainment and direct engagement with NBA culture.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope to just explore and see what the city of S\u00e3o Paulo has to offer,\u201d said Jaquez, who has Mexican roots but was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful, it\u2019s gorgeous. I\u2019ve been in New York City, but I think Sao Paulo takes it on the number of buildings that I\u2019ve seen in a 360 radius. I mean, it\u2019s unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n
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