This is the third part of our 2026 series looking at players who are prime candidates for rookie contract extensions. This series explores a player’s strengths and weaknesses, evaluating what a fair deal between a player and his team might look like.
Background
After four years of college basketball at UCLA, Jaime Haques Jr was selected by the Heat with the 18th overall pick in the 2023 draft. As a senior with the Bruins in the 2022/2023 season, the Mexican-American small forward averaged 17.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals on .481/.317/.770 shooting in 37 games (33.2 minutes per game) while earning NBA Player of the Year honors. class of the Pac-12 and numerous second-team All-America points. grade.
Haques was one of the most decorated players to compete for UCLA in recent years. He was a three-time all-conference pick with the Bruins and a two-time Pac-12 All-Defensive team.
The California native had a breakout rookie season with Miami in 2023/24, averaging 11.9 ppg, 3.8 ppg, 2.6 ppg and 1.0 ppg on .489/.322/.811 shooting in 75 games (28.2 ppg). Jaquez was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month twice, finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, was named to the All-Rookie First Team and started in the Heat’s first-round loss to eventual champion Boston.
However, the 2024/25 campaign did not go so smoothly for Haques as his playing time was significantly reduced; he fell out of the rotation at the end of the year. In 66 games (20.7 MPG), he averaged 8.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.5 APG and 0.9 SPG while shooting .461/.311/.754.
Jaquez had a big rebound in his third season in 2025/2026, posting career highs of 15.4 ppg, 5.0 ppg and 4.7 ppg on .507/.317/.769 shooting in 75 contests (28.3 mpg). He received 34 first-place votes for Sixth Man of the Year, finishing second to the winner Keldon Johnson.
The Heat traded for the former Bucks superstar Yannis Antecumpa in early July, and Jaquez was part of Miami’s outgoing package to Milwaukee. In addition to making his first appearance for a new team, Haques is also eligible for a rookie-scale extension until Oct. 19.
Strengths
Jaquez’s greatest strength as a player is his determination. His size on the wing is above average at 6’6″ and 225 pounds, and he’s a strong ball handler who knows how to exploit mismatches against a wide variety of defenders.
