(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Miami Heat were the villains of the league during a four-year stint of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh from 2010 to 2014.
But since the Big 3 of the Heat broke up, the organization has focused on grooming young talents such as Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
Speaking of young players, the Heat drafted Jaime Jaquez Jr. using the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Jaquez has shown early signs of being a future star in the league despite being drafted in the middle of the first round during the 2023 NBA Draft.
So much so that many members of the Heat reportedly believe that Jaquez is the best player that the franchise has drafted since Dwyane Wade, per 5 Reasons Sports and Palms Elite on Twitter.
Some members of the Miami Heat’s coaching staff and front office are of the view that Jaime Jaquez possesses the talent to be the franchise’s most impressive rookie since Dwyane Wade, per @5ReasonsSports
Do you agree ? pic.twitter.com/S6qwI5Ik4h
— Palms Elite (@PalmsElite) November 14, 2023
Wade was taken as the fifth overall pick in the legendary 2003 NBA Draft.
Wade played 15 out of his 16 years in the NBA for the Heat and helped the organization win three NBA Championships, including the legendary 2006 NBA title.
He was also inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame after retiring from the league.
So, comparing Wade to Jaquez is undoubtedly a huge statement.
Jaquez is currently averaging 8.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game for the Heat in the 2023-24 NBA season.
Sure, these are good numbers for a player averaging just 21.9 minutes per game in his rookie year.
But before overhyping him, the organization should allow Jaquez to stay on his natural curve of growth during his rookie season instead of burdening him with additional responsibility.
The post Heat Reportedly See 1 Rookie Surpassing Dwyane Wade appeared first on The Cold Wire.