WELCOME Kasparas Jakucionis...our new Dragic? *POLL*

[MartyConlonJr]

Who will have less dunks next season, Jovic or Kasparas?

I am happy with the pick. Had no idea about him but a high free throw rate (usually a star quality) and a high free throw percentage (usually extends to future 3pt shooting), mixed with great passing, motor and a decisive and hectic approach give me hope for someone that can organise this crew.

[azcatz11]

Whoa! Why on earth did he fall down to #20? He looks like a lotto pick. He lacks athleticism, but he seems pretty crafty and a really good passer. He might be able to draw a lot of fouls with the way he shoots his 3s.

I haven't seen yet why he's dropped to 20. Vecenie was saying he 'heard some things' but wouldn't elaborate whatever that means.

Assuming no injury red flags, he's better than Demin IMO. Better shooter for sure. He can get in the lane and finish. Illinois ran a weird offense last year. He was turnover prone but they ran a lot thru the big guy and didn't set the right tempo. He had a lot of TO's but he's super young. Easily correctable mistakes.

I think his athleticism is fine given his height and frame. Demin wasn't asked to do anything last year and would have been 'exposed' like Kasp if he had a similar role. You are getting a top 10 talent at 20 it's a huge steal.

[DayofMourning]

Also, Kaspar's forearm inury popped up mid January.

After that time, he finished the RS 20-78 from 3.

Thats 26%. Prior to the injury he was hitting at a high level.

[Beenie]

Good thread. Will be useful for down the road tracking and context.

[Shootit]

I liked him, but didn't expect him to fall to 20. That being said, being the next Dragic would be a great hit, not sure about that yet.
But for pick 20, zero complaints

[dshearn]

Also, Kaspar's forearm inury popped up mid January.

After that time, he finished the RS 20-78 from 3.

Thats 26%. Prior to the injury he was hitting at a high level.

Someone posted the before and after numbers... at least it is a clean enough before and after that you can put a legitimate * on that time frame.


IF that is the reason he fell...then damn...we see injuries heal all the time... he could actually be a hell of a steal....


If he dropped for some other reason, like a lotto skill set, without lotto athleticism....well that's how the NBA can be at times when you pick in the back 3rd of the draft...you often miss the "world beater" level talents.


What would have been a hilarious what if .....what if Miami tanked the rest of the year and ended up with that higher pick...and still took the same dude....

Odds are everyone would have been saying well....this is where we expected him to go.......

[KingDavid]

https://youtube.com/shorts/8VfhohySsuA?si=Eq96q76VMrt_qhmt

Spo working on that Riley level rizz game

Edit: ffs how do you embed again?!

That's a YouTube short, not a video, I guess that's why embedding it doesn't work.

[Heat_Down_Under]

Read on Twitter

[K N U C K L E S]

https://youtube.com/shorts/8VfhohySsuA?si=Eq96q76VMrt_qhmt

Spo working on that Riley level rizz game

Edit: ffs how do you embed again?!

That's a YouTube short, not a video, I guess that's why embedding it doesn't work.

Just edit the URL and change shorts to v and it'll behave like a regular YouTube video.

See: https://youtube.com/v/8VfhohySsuA?si=Eq96q76VMrt_qhmt

Edit: Ok. Maybe it still won't embed, but it will behave like a regular YouTube video when you play it.

Edit 2: Ok. I figured it out. After you edit the URL and reload it, YouTube changes the URL to a format that RealGM Recognizes. Just copy the URL into your post and RealGM will embed it. Here's the URL, and see the video embedded below. I put spaces between : and // so you can see the URL.:
https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VfhohySsuA

Watch on YouTube

[DBurks2818]

Spoiler:

On the other side of the Atlantic, national federations and teams are grappling with the trade-off posed by the exodus of young talent to the U.S.

"For Lithuania, it means that we have way fewer talented young players in our top division. That's the downside of players flooding the NCAA," explains Augustas Suliauskas, a Lithuanian basketball analyst for BasketNews, before finding a silver lining. "But I believe those players have a higher chance of coming back later in their careers as better players, strengthening the league and the National Team."

This seems to be the case with Jakucionis, who, according to Lithuanian media, recently met with Linas Kleiza, as the General Manager of the Lithuanian National Team begins rounding up the roster ahead of FIBA EuroBasket 2025.

"I firmly believe Kasparas is the most talented perimeter player and the second most talented guy overall we've had only behind Matas Buzelis," observes Suliauskas, underscoring the high expectations for him in his home country. "I even think Jakucionis is the best guard prospect we've had since both Sarunas — Marciulionis and Jasikevicius. Two big names, but I expect huge things from Kasparas."

Jakucionis has mentioned jumbo-sized point guards such as Luka Doncic, Nick Calathes, and Andrew Nembhard as basketball influences. The mold of a player who has the size to play small forward, the vision to operate as a point guard, and the skills to create his own shot is something that could prove valuable for NBA teams.

"Jakucionis has always been a mismatch," says Molero. "His impact at the NBA level will come as a lead ball-handler, likely coming off the bench, and adapting to a wing initiator role. Any team will value his intelligence and unselfishness when it comes to decision-making. He knows how to pass the ball — and that's not something that everyone has".

However, before he can do that at a high level on an NBA floor, scouts note that further development will be necessary.

"Jakucionis has challenges athletically, he is ground-bound and does not possess outlier burst. This is also emphasized by his handle limitations where he has a knack for turning the ball over," says Potluri.

Mittal, meanwhile, envisions a potential avenue for success at the NBA level: "When he cuts down the turnovers, Kasparas' ability to score and create for others is very impressive for such a young player. Combine that with his fearless play, and he has the building blocks to become a high-level NBA talent. It will take time to reach his ceiling, but the potential is definitely there."

From his early years in Lithuania, to his stint in Spain, to opening the door for international recruiting at Illinois, everything has prepared Jakucionis for the next step. And when asked about his future in the NBA Draft, he looks back at his early career in Europe, where it all began.

"Jabari Parker said ‘Be Like Water' — fit in everything, be adaptable, be flexible in every situation," Jakucionis said on The Deep 3 Podcast, when asked about the best piece of advice he received in his young career. "Going into the NBA, making that transition, obviously you don't know where you're going to get drafted and you don't know what the situation is going to be like… Your versatility is something that you can really focus on."

"Any situation and whatever the team needs me to do to win — I can do. I'll just do my best, give my effort on both ends of the floor and be the best version of myself."

https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-eurobasket-2025/news/next-big-thing-kasparas-jakucionis-lithuanias-future-at-point-guard

”Jabari Parker said ‘Be Like Water' — fit in everything, be adaptable, be flexible in every situation," Jakucionis said on The Deep 3 Podcast

“Be like water. -Bruce Lee”
-Jabari Parker

[Jstock12]

Read on Twitter

[contract]

I'll have to wait until real games are being played before developing an opinion on this guy.

Summer league and preseason aren't going to tell me anything useful.

[dolphinatik]

I dont see the fit nor trust we will finally adapt for the pace in the current NBA. Yak doesnt have the speed, athleticism or shot yet to dominate in the slow 1/2 court offense the Heat play. Illinois did him a solid with that high usage rate. I hope he proves me wrong. Ultimately our playstyle is more the problem than this player. Dragic could help this kid or Rondo who loves to coach.

[heat4life]

I dont see the fit nor trust we will finally adapt for the pace in the current NBA. Yak doesnt have the speed, athleticism or shot yet to dominate in the slow 1/2 court offense the Heat play. Illinois did him a solid with that high usage rate. I hope he proves me wrong. Ultimately our playstyle is more the problem than this player. Dragic could help this kid or Rondo who loves to coach.

Summer League is where the coaches get to see first hand how they can use him and then build offensive packages based on that. This kid needs work and we shouldn’t expect Kyrie Irving or Chris Paul here. But I could see him playing more like Luka as a lead ball handler and get the team in the offense. Luka is far from the fastest or more athletic. These Euro guys rely on fundamentals, not athleticism. Lets see how it translates to the NBA

[lastb1ckman]

Whoa! Why on earth did he fall down to #20? He looks like a lotto pick. He lacks athleticism, but he seems pretty crafty and a really good passer. He might be able to draw a lot of fouls with the way he shoots his 3s.

I haven't seen yet why he's dropped to 20. Vecenie was saying he 'heard some things' but wouldn't elaborate whatever that means.

Assuming no injury red flags, he's better than Demin IMO. Better shooter for sure. He can get in the lane and finish. Illinois ran a weird offense last year. He was turnover prone but they ran a lot thru the big guy and didn't set the right tempo. He had a lot of TO's but he's super young. Easily correctable mistakes.

I think his athleticism is fine given his height and frame. Demin wasn't asked to do anything last year and would have been 'exposed' like Kasp if he had a similar role. You are getting a top 10 talent at 20 it's a huge steal.

Yeah with Demin hes bigger and maybe a bit better a passer, but he is a lot less assertive and a much worse shooter at this stage. I wonder what the Nets saw in him vs KJ

[DayofMourning]

Whoa! Why on earth did he fall down to #20? He looks like a lotto pick. He lacks athleticism, but he seems pretty crafty and a really good passer. He might be able to draw a lot of fouls with the way he shoots his 3s.

I haven't seen yet why he's dropped to 20. Vecenie was saying he 'heard some things' but wouldn't elaborate whatever that means.

Assuming no injury red flags, he's better than Demin IMO. Better shooter for sure. He can get in the lane and finish. Illinois ran a weird offense last year. He was turnover prone but they ran a lot thru the big guy and didn't set the right tempo. He had a lot of TO's but he's super young. Easily correctable mistakes.

I think his athleticism is fine given his height and frame. Demin wasn't asked to do anything last year and would have been 'exposed' like Kasp if he had a similar role. You are getting a top 10 talent at 20 it's a huge steal.

Yeah with Demin hes bigger and maybe a bit better a passer, but he is a lot less assertive and a much worse shooter at this stage. I wonder what the Nets saw in him vs KJ

They drafted a bunch of PGs. They have deep dived in to passing. Id have taken Kas over Egor no questions asked. We should thank them tbh.

They can play Traore at PG, Saraf at SG, Egor at SF, Wolf at PF.

Its crazy, but Im entertained.

[lastb1ckman]

I haven't seen yet why he's dropped to 20. Vecenie was saying he 'heard some things' but wouldn't elaborate whatever that means.

Assuming no injury red flags, he's better than Demin IMO. Better shooter for sure. He can get in the lane and finish. Illinois ran a weird offense last year. He was turnover prone but they ran a lot thru the big guy and didn't set the right tempo. He had a lot of TO's but he's super young. Easily correctable mistakes.

I think his athleticism is fine given his height and frame. Demin wasn't asked to do anything last year and would have been 'exposed' like Kasp if he had a similar role. You are getting a top 10 talent at 20 it's a huge steal.

Yeah with Demin hes bigger and maybe a bit better a passer, but he is a lot less assertive and a much worse shooter at this stage. I wonder what the Nets saw in him vs KJ

They drafted a bunch of PGs. They have deep dived in to passing. Id have taken Kas over Egor no questions asked. We should thank them tbh.

They can play Traore at PG, Saraf at SG, Egor at SF, Wolf at PF.

Its crazy, but Im entertained.

Problem is Wolf if the best shooter there lol. That paint is gonna be PACKED

[DayofMourning]

Yeah with Demin hes bigger and maybe a bit better a passer, but he is a lot less assertive and a much worse shooter at this stage. I wonder what the Nets saw in him vs KJ

They drafted a bunch of PGs. They have deep dived in to passing. Id have taken Kas over Egor no questions asked. We should thank them tbh.

They can play Traore at PG, Saraf at SG, Egor at SF, Wolf at PF.

Its crazy, but Im entertained.

Problem is Wolf if the best shooter there lol. That paint is gonna be PACKED

I have herd that shooting is the easiest skill to improve...

Will be interesting. I like the players, but its going to be slow and painful I think.

[al bondiga]

The dragon had a special engine on him. Hope he can match it.

[dshearn]

ok Dang it...I am not crazy.... I kept saying this dude looks huge...just saw the press conference YouTube video.... look at that bastard.... a solid 3-4 inches taller then Spo.

Tyler Herro who is suppose to be 6-5 looks slightly taller than Spo. At the Shoulder Tyler maybe has an inch on Spo....this dude is at least 3 inches taller than Spo at the shoulders....

At some point Herro and Kas are gonna be standing together and we are gonna see one of these so called "6-5" dudes is lying


[YouTube]https://youtu.be/VYikjI-YZfA?si=d1OtA8MYU8U0kacl[/youtube]