After hot start, Heat's Jaime Jaquez sets sights on leadership role

The Miami Heat are off to a solid start to the 2025-26 campaign, boasting a 2-1 record and ranking fifth in the league in points per game (127.3) thus far. 

A key factor in the team's early success has been third-year forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., who is averaging 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals across 28.0 minutes per game. He's also shooting an impressive 71.0 percent from the field. 

The 24-year-old delivered a promising rookie campaign but took a step back in his sophomore season. Now, he'll look to prove he can become a valuable long-term piece for the Heat — who have already picked up his fourth-year team option — ahead of potential extension talks next offseason. 

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Jaime Jaquez looks to lead Miami's second unit 

Jaquez has scored 17 points in back-to-back games and has also shown growth as a playmaker through three regular-season games. According to Anthony Aguirre of Roundtable Network, Jaquez said Monday that his goal for this season is to take on more of a leadership role within the second unit. 

“That's something that I definitely wanted to do coming into my third year — take on a bigger leadership role, especially in that second unit with all those guys who are around the same age as myself,” he said. “I might be on the older side a little bit, but just taking that next step in my development I think is going to be huge.” 

I asked #Heat Jaime Jaquez Jr. about taking on a leadership role with the second unit this year:@RTB_io 🏀 pic.twitter.com/uz7IsxOexa

The UCLA product should continue to serve as the primary backup to Andrew Wiggins and will aim to make the most of his increased minutes. 

Jaquez endured stretches of inconsistent playing time in the 2024-25 season, during which he averaged 8.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 20.7 minutes per contest across 66 regular-season games. Still, he flashed plenty of upside — including a 41-point performance in the team's regular-season finale and a triple-double with five steals against the Sacramento Kings in January. 

While Jaquez will look to improve on his numbers from last season, his main focus appears to be on becoming more of a vocal presence as he continues his development.

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