Jaime Jaquez Jr. Could Be Milwaukee's Most Improved Player
Source: SI NBA. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
The Milwaukee Bucks are undergoing a significant roster transformation, and among the new faces is a young wing with serious breakout potential. Jaime Jaquez Jr., who arrived as part of the package that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami, could be the key to the Bucks' next chapter. After a stellar third season with the Heat—where he averaged 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, earning a runner-up finish in Sixth Man of the Year voting—Jaquez now heads to a team that might offer him a much larger stage.
The question is not whether he can play, but whether the Bucks will let him. Jaquez played 28 minutes per game off the bench in Miami. If Milwaukee hands him a starting role and pushes that to 35 minutes, his production should naturally rise. More shots, more playmaking opportunities, and more chances to impact the game on both ends. He is not a player who needs 20 points to be effective; he rebounds, creates for teammates, and defends with intensity. His footwork around the rim is among the best for a young wing, and he uses his strength to get to his spots without relying on elite athleticism. Durability is another asset—he rarely misses games, which matters for an award that demands consistency over an entire season.
However, there is one glaring weakness: his jump shot. Jaquez shot roughly 31% from three-point range last season, a number that limits his offensive ceiling. He does not need to become a sniper, but if he can push that to 35%, the entire floor changes. Defenders would have to respect him beyond the arc, opening driving lanes and making his already polished inside game even more dangerous. That improvement alone could lift his averages to 20 points, seven rebounds, and six assists—numbers that would put him squarely in the Most Improved Player conversation.
Jaquez is entering his fourth season at age 24, which is slightly older than typical MIP winners, but he still has room to grow. He has the tools, the mentality, and now the opportunity. The Bucks, with a reshaped roster, need a reliable secondary scorer and playmaker. If Jaquez can improve his shooting and secure a prominent role, he could become the frontrunner for the award. The path is there. The question is whether he will seize it.
Article commentary
Jaime Jaquez Jr. landing in Milwaukee as part of the Giannis trade reshapes the narrative around both the Bucks and the young wing. On paper, the move offers Jaquez a clearer path to a larger role than he had in Miami, where he was behind established stars. The Bucks, now in a rebuilding phase, need to identify which of their new pieces can become cornerstones. Jaquez, with his well-rounded game and proven production off the bench, looks like the most likely candidate to take a leap. Yet the Most Improved Player award is notoriously difficult to predict. It often goes to players who make a dramatic statistical jump, typically in scoring or efficiency, and who do so on a team that exceeds expectations. Jaquez's baseline—15.4 points, 5 rebounds, 4.7 assists—is already solid. To win MIP, he would need to jump into the 20-5-5 range, which is feasible if his minutes and usage increase. But the award also rewards players who improve their weaknesses, and Jaquez's three-point shooting is the biggest hurdle. A jump from 31% to 35% is realistic but not guaranteed. Many players have plateaued at that level. Another factor is competition. The Bucks may not be highly competitive this season, and MIP voters sometimes favor players on winning teams. However, the award has gone to players on lottery teams before, like Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle. Jaquez also benefits from a relatively weak field of candidates. Other young players like Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, or Evan Mobley are already beyond the MIP stage. Jaquez fits the profile of a late bloomer who can capitalize on increased opportunity. Ultimately, his chances hinge on two things: the Bucks' willingness to start him and his shooting improvement. If both happen, he has a strong case. If not, he may simply be a solid sixth man. The Bucks' front office will need to decide whether to prioritize his development over other young players. Given the investment in acquiring him, it would be surprising if they did not give him every chance to succeed. Jaquez has the mentality and work ethic to make the most of it. The MIP award is within reach, but it will require a perfect alignment of circumstances.