The Miami Heat selected versatile 7-footer Kel’el Ware with the 15th overall pick at the 2024 NBA Draft. It seemed like most of Heat Nation saw the vision in Ware’s addition by sliding Bam Adebayo over to the more comfortable power forward slot, but it took a while for coach Erik Spoelstra to feel the same way.
Ware was benched for the majority of the Heat’s first half of this season. Despite having some much needed size and length that could provide an instant boost to Miami’s thin front court, he came into the season raw. Unlike what fans initially hoped, Spoelstra decided to take the more patient development route with his new big man.
Miami’s inconsistency in the standings forced Spoelstra’s hand to change things up right before the All-Star break. That’s when Ware emerged into the team’s rotation.
He instantly displayed an intriguing skill set—thriving as a lob threat, and providing elite rim protection and the ability to alter shots defensively. Listed at 7’0″ with a 7’4″ wingspan, those abilities came as no real surprise. Ware had all the tools and talent to become an integral piece for the Heat; all he needed was an opportunity to earn Spoelstra’s trust.
Unfortunately, the patient route that Spoelstra opted to go with may have cost Ware a real shot at making his true mark during his rookie season.
Kel’el Ware earned All-Rookie second team honors despite starting in only 36 games this season
Ware’s presence in Miami’s lineup brought a much needed spark to a team that was stuck in mediocrity for most of the year. For the first time in his career, Adebayo was finally allowed to play at power forward rather than anchor the team’s entire defense as an undersized center.
That added two-way versatility to Adebayo’s new position led to him finally breaking out of a near 30-game shooting slump to begin the 2024-25 campaign. On the flip side, Ware was putting up the numbers to justify his addition to the first unit.
Across 64 total games played, he averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on 55.4 percent shooting. Per 36 minutes, the rookie big man would have been on pace to average a 15.1-point and 12.0-rebound double-double per game.
Despite earning the impressive All-Rookie Second Team feat, Ware’s full potential in terms of season awards was held back due to the lack of playing time during the first half of the season. He otherwise would have undoubtedly been slotted on the All-Rookie First Team, along with making a legitimate case to secure the Rookie of the Year award.
That honor would ultimately, and deservedly, go to San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle. Castle beat out the Atlanta Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher and the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaylen Wells as the other two finalists. But Ware would have given each of Risacher and Wells a run for their money, if not also challenging Castle for the honor—had he been a regular piece of Spoelstra’s lineup from day one.
Thankfully, the future is still bright for the talented Ware, and he should continue to develop as a two-way force for the Heat for years to come.
