UCLA Basketball: Heat Officially Sign Ex-Bruin Jaime Jaquez Jr., Complicating Damian Lillard Trade Options

He is safe for now!

The Miami Heat have certainly been in the headlines a lot recently and for both good and bad reasons. They made a crazy run to the NBA Finals this most recent season as they were able to win three straight rounds as the eighth-seeded team.

They also held on to their first round pick and decided to select UCLA's own 6'7 point guard Jaime Jaquez and the fit was deemed uncanny from the jump. Jaquez has also been praised for his work ethic and drive all throughout his four years as a Bruin and landing in Miami means he will further his basketball career with a franchise that thrives off of coming to the gym every day and pushing one another to get better.

And right before Jaquez made his summer league debut against the Los Angeles Lakers, he was officially signed by the front office.

OFFICIAL: The Miami HEAT have signed Jaime Jaquez Jr., selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 2023 NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/3ZHNXbh4jx

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) July 1, 2023

"OFFICIAL: The Miami HEAT have signed Jaime Jaquez Jr., selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 2023 NBA Draft."

And by doing so, he may just have avoided being included in a blockbuster trade that could take place soon for NBA All-Star Damian Lillard.

Due to contract rules, Jaquez will now not be able to officially be moved for 30 days.

"With word breaking that Trail Blazers All-Star point guard

Damian Lillard

would reportedly

prefer

to be dealt to Miami specifically, the Jaquez deal is a bit more notable, as it means that he now cannot be included as part of a trade for the next 30 days. That does not necessarily mean he cannot or will not be a part of a hypothetical package for Lillard, only that a move could not be officially finalized until July 31."

(Via Hoops Rumors)

And after his electric debut in the California Classic, he may have solidified his place in the squad even more.