The Haywood Highsmith injury is a potentially massive blow for the Miami Heat. A Jaime Jaquez Jr. breakout in his third season would go a long way toward changing that.
Sure, Highsmith’s eight-to-10-week timetable for return from right knee surgery puts him back right around opening night. But he won’t have gone through any of Miami’s training camp, or preseason. It could take him time to regain his footing as the team’s best three-and-D weapon.
If nothing else, Jaquez is facing a ton of pressure entering Year 3 anyway. He finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting and ninth on the Sixth Man of the Year ballot during his inaugural campaign, and then failed to meet expectations last season.