Pre-Draft Analysis
Strengths: Jakucionis dissects defenses out of pick-and-rolls with great positional size, smarts and playmaking savvy. There is considerable confidence in his shotmaking prowess.
Weaknesses: Not exceptionally explosive, Jakucionis struggled with turnovers and shooting consistency as opposing defenses locked in on him late in the season. He has some questions to answer on the defensive end and with learning to stay in front of quicker guards.
The verdict: Among the most polished pick-and-roll playmakers in this class, Jakucionis flashed a promising blend of size, feel, vision and toughness for much of the season. Though the scrutiny of carrying an offense through the rigorous Big Ten slate at 18 years old took a toll on him at times, the talent he flashed in his brightest moments leaves considerable room for optimism around his NBA transition. -- Jonathan Givony
Best pick-and-roll playmaker: Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Top 100 ranking: No. 10
Jakucionis has proved to be a particularly challenging cover working with a screen in front of him, where his vision, creativity and acute sense of timing intersect to make him an outstanding operator. The vast majority of his offensive workload came in ball screens -- his 501 ball-screen possessions (among the highest totals in the country) led to a basket 41.7% of the time, including assists (65th percentile nationally), a number made more impressive by the fact the Illini didn't have consistent 3-point shooting or ideal spacing around him last season.
Jakucionis also became more comfortable getting to his own shot when defenses loaded up the paint, with his jumper becoming a viable counter for his average explosiveness around the rim. Though he presses at times, leading to aggressive turnovers, his size, unselfish mentality and instincts navigating traffic should translate well into an NBA role, whether it's as a full-time point guard or combo playmaker.
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Jakucionis, born in Vilnious, Lithuania, was not supposed to be available to Miami. At top right, you can see that ESPN has him as the 10th-best player in this draft. ESPN projected us to take Liam McNeeley of Connecticut. So Jakucionis is a bargain for Miami.
But he, his parents, and his agent may not be thrilled that he is the "Heat's" bargain, that he fell to 20, and in particular to Miami, for if 80-year old Pat Riley doesn't change his ways (and what are the chances of that?) and the reputation as a player killer that he has, parents of prospects are going to tell the org not to draft their son, as he will not play for them. I would tell Riley so to his face if I were the parent of a prospect.