Q: Ira, you’re telling me that 29 other teams missed the boat on Kasparas Jakucionis by letting him slip to No. 20? There always is a reason. – Wes.

Fortunately for Jakucionis, the former Illini guard landed in a dream situation when he was selected in Wednesday's 2025 NBA Draft by the league’s premier developmental organization: the Miami Heat. Of the Heat’s last five first-round draft picks, three were named to the All-Rookie team – and two of them were drafted outside the lottery.

Feedback on the Heat’s selection of 6-6 Illinois point guard Kasparas Jakucionis, who had been widely projected as a late lottery pick and averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and shot 44 percent from the field in his one season at Illinois,