Are Jaime Jacquez Jr. And Nikola Jovic The Final Obstacle To The Miami Heat Acquiring Damian Lillard?

Every day, the Miami Heat and Portland Trailblazers appear closer to finalizing a deal to acquire Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard.

The determining factor could be the Heat’s young assets.

Miami is keen on maintaining as much depth possible while Portland is in no hurry to make a move. This leaves the two front offices at a crossroads, negotiating if Heat youngsters Jaime Jacquez Jr., and Nikola Jovic will be involved in the trade.

Jacquez was the No. 18 pick in this year’s draft out of UCLA. He is expected to be an immediate impact player for Miami, coming into the league at 22 years old after spending four seasons in college. Jacquez’s skillset is highlighted by his high basketball IQ and versatility at both forward positions.

Jovic spent most of his rookie season in the G League after he was the No. 27 pick in the 2022 draft out of Serbia. He is expected to take on a larger role next season. He is a versatile scorer who has shown promise on both ends of the floor.

Both Jacquez Jr. and Jovic possess qualities that can contribute to the MHeat's championship aspirations, further complicating the decision for the front office. It is undoubtedly a tough choice to make, as both players offer unique skills and potential.

Ultimately, the Heat must carefully evaluate which young player they perceive as more valuable, especially if they are not forced to part with both players.

Anthony Pasciolla is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at anthonypasciolla36@gmail.com or follow him on Tik Tok @anthonysports_