NBA Rookie Power Rankings: Ausar Thompson rises, who falls?

3. Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Last week's rank: 4

Jamie Jaquez Jr. and Brandon Miller once again switch places in this week's rookie rankings.

Jaquez Jr. has proven to be the best draft selection the Miami Heat have made in many years. He quite literally fits the definition and mold of the perfect Miami player under head coach Erik Spoelstra.

Jaquez Jr. has become the Heat's No. 1 option off the bench every night and has even led the Heat in scoring on multiple occasions now. In Friday night's win over the Hawks, Jaquez Jr. proved to be the best option off the bench by scoring 19 points and an additional seven rebounds.

Jaquez Jr.'s presence off the bench has cleared up a lot of stress that the Heat had at the beginning of the season. Finding a definite first option off the bench and depth was a concern of Miami fans all summer long. He has become a huge reason the Heat are 17-12 and fifth in the Eastern Conference.

Defensively, the young forward has become one of the Heats' best lockdown defenders. Oftentimes, he has become the Heats' first option off the bench to guard the best players on opposing teams. Having the trust of a Hall of Fame head coach like Spoelstra can bode well come playoff time.

For Jaquez Jr., it will be important that he can keep the level of production that he has built for himself. If he can do that, he could surprise many NBA fans by how far he gets in different awards at the end of the year.