Standout rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis admitted that leaving the Miami Heat was difficult to process after he was included in the blockbuster trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to South Beach.
Kasparas Jakucionis is set to enter his second NBA season in completely different surroundings.
Kasparas Jakučionis
Position PG
Age 20
Height 195 cm
Weight 100 kg
Birth place Vilnius, Lithuania
The Lithuanian guard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks alongside Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kel’el Ware as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat and shook up the NBA.
Speaking during the Las Vegas Summer League, Jakucionis recalled how he learned about the trade while representing Lithuania in the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
"I was with the Lithuanian national team and was just waking up in the morning," Jakucionis told Mundo Deportivo. "The trade happened at around 6 a.m. Lithuanian time. I woke up at 8, saw the messages from my agent and everything else, and that's how I found out."
Jakucionis opens up on unexpected Heat departure
Kasparas Jakucionis
Kasparas Jakucionis
Credit AP - Scanpix
The move came shortly after Jakucionis completed his rookie season with Miami, where he had begun establishing himself as part of the team's rotation.
"It's not easy to process," the 20-year-old admitted. "It was my first year, and I didn't know much, but I always knew it could happen.
"When it does, you just have to do what you can, control what you can control, work every day, and not think too much about it."
Jakucionis averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 18 minutes per game during his rookie campaign. He shot 43% from the field and 42% from three-point range on three attempts per game.
The No. 20 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft initially spent time with Miami's G League affiliate before earning a role in the Heat rotation.
Miami reportedly viewed Jakucionis as a long-term prospect because of his talent and work ethic. However, the opportunity to acquire a superstar of Antetokounmpo's caliber ultimately led the Heat to include the Lithuanian in the package.
Jakucionis begins new chapter with Bucks
Jakucionis now joins a Milwaukee team entering a new era following Antetokounmpo's departure.
The Bucks are beginning their rebuild under head coach Taylor Jenkins, although experienced players such as Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner remain on the roster.
Jakucionis said his first experience with the organization during the Summer League had been positive, although discussions about his potential role had not yet taken place.
"I'm very happy to meet everyone from Milwaukee, the coaches and the players," Jakucionis said. "I haven't been here long, but I like it. I like it a lot.
"We haven't talked about my role yet, but we'll have time for that."
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