Throughout his three years with the Miami Heat, Jaime Jaquez Jr. started in just 38 of his 216 regular season games. The UCLA forward has thrived in his role as a reserve, finishing second in the Sixth Man of the Year race in 2025-26, but there is a real shot that he makes the leap to a full-time starting role after being acquired by the Milwaukee Bucks, given the current state of their roster.
Unsettled small forward rotation poses questions
Milwaukee's current small forward rotation includes Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Ousmane Dieng, Taurean Prince, and Nate Ament. It's one of the weaker parts of their roster, leaving the door cracked open for any of them to snag the starting spot. Jaquez has to like his odds after a career year with the Miami Heat.
While all of the players here have a case, one could argue that Jaquez would be the best option for the Bucks from a production standpoint. Last season, he averaged 15.4 points, five rebounds, and 4.7 dimes per game in a bench role. No one else on the small forward depth chart came close to that. Perhaps the Bucks think Jaquez could take things even further if they were to give him a promotion.
Taylor Jenkins won't have to figure out who his starting forward will be on opening night in early July, but it's likely gone through his mind once or twice and will surface again.
Starting role could have overlooked benefit
While everyone is focused on whether the Milwaukee Bucks should give Tyler Herro an extension, Jaquez is also quietly due for one. The forward is entering the last year of his rookie contract, and if the team wants him in town for the long haul, perhaps they could look to lock him up now. Yet, if a starting role is within reach, Jaquez's best bet may be to hold off temporarily.
Spotrac's Keith Smith projected that Jaquez could get something along the lines of four years and $78 million this summer. That's a solid number, but if he takes on a starting role, that number could suddenly shoot through the roof next summer. If Jaquez is comfortable betting on himself, it would not be surprising if he waited and looked to cash out next summer.
In the event that he has another career year, he could very well surpass $100 million on his new deal.
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