This is the third installment in our 2026 series examining players who are prime candidates for rookie scale contract extensions. This series will explore the player’s strengths and weaknesses, evaluating what a fair deal between the player and his team might look like.
After four years of college basketball at UCLA, Jaime Jaquez Jr. was selected by the Heat with the 18th overall pick in the 2023 draft. As a senior with the Bruins in 2022/23, the Mexican-American small forward averaged 17.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals on .481/.317/.770 shooting splits in 37 appearances (33.2 minutes per game), earning Pac-12 Player of the Year and numerous second-team All-America honors.
Jaquez was one of the more decorated players to compete for UCLA in recent years. He was a three-time all-conference selection with the Bruins and a two-time member of the Pac-12’s All-Defensive team.
The California native had a productive rookie season with Miami in 2023/24, averaging 11.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.6 APG and 1.0 SPG on .489/.322/.811 shooting in 75 games (28.2 MPG). Jaquez was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month two times, finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, was a first-team All-Rookie selection, and started in the Heat’s first-round loss to eventual champion Boston.
The 2024/25 campaign didn’t go as smoothly for Jaquez, however, as his playing time was reduced significantly; he was out of the rotation at the end of the year. In 66 appearances (20.7 MPG), he averaged 8.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.5 APG and 0.9 SPG on .461/.311/.754 shooting.
Jaquez had a major bounce-back third season in 2025/26, averaging career highs of 15.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 4.7 APG on .507/.317/.769 shooting in 75 contests (28.3 MPG). He received 34 first-place votes for the Sixth Man of the Year award, ultimately finishing as the runner-up to winner Keldon Johnson.
The Heat traded for former Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in early July, and Jaquez was part of Miami’s outgoing package to Milwaukee. In addition to playing for a new team for the first time, Jaquez is also eligible for a rookie scale extension until October 19.
Jaquez’s greatest strength as a player is his decisiveness. He brings above-average size at the wing at 6’6″ and 225 pounds, and he’s a strong ball-handler who knows how to exploit mismatches against all kinds of defenders.
