The Miami Heat have been one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference during the 2025-26 regular season — and it’s not just because of Bam Adebayo.
After making aggressive offseason changes to strengthen their contender status, acquisitions such as Norman Powell, Kel’el Ware, and Andrew Wiggins have all exceeded early expectations. Yet one player has shined brighter than the rest: Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The 24-year-old third-year wing has flourished in his bench role, averaging an impressive 17.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on 54.4% shooting. Although it’s still early in the campaign, Jaquez has established himself as a legitimate Most Improved Player candidate.
Well — unless your name is Tim Legler or Bill Simmons. Both recently argued that Jaquez should be exempt from the award.
“Can you win Most Improved just because you sucked then became good again? If you reach a level your rookie year, then take a big dip, then reclaim that plus a little more, no you should probably be disqualified. I would say he’s DQ’d. This is the guy we thought he’d be last year, sorry Jaime.”
Bill Simmons and Tim Legler say Jaime should be disqualified from Most improved award
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) November 14, 2025
“Can you win most improved just because you sucked then became good again? If you reach a level your rookie year, then take a big dip, then reclaim that plus a little more, no you should… pic.twitter.com/54JaUMRYIY
Jaquez has taken a massive leap from his sophomore season, when he averaged just 8.6 points across 66 games (with 17 starts). He’s currently setting career-highs across the board — in scoring, rebounds, assists, free-throw percentage, and field-goal percentage. His three-point shooting remains the lone statistical blemish, but his impact on Miami’s improved play is undeniable.
The Most Improved Player award has long been a magnet for debate, as the criteria are subjective and the voting unpredictable. Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham was the most recent player to face widespread backlash despite finishing top-three in MIP voting — a response fueled by his No. 1 overall draft status.
Jaquez, meanwhile, has never been in the running for any major NBA award. Whether Legler and Simmons believe he should qualify is ultimately just opinion. What matters far more is whether he can sustain this early-season surge — and if he does, he’ll remain firmly in the conversation as one of the league’s brightest risers.
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