After an encouraging rookie season with the Heat, Kel’el Ware‘s name popped up in trade speculation this summer in connection with Miami’s pursuit of former Suns star Kevin Durant. Ultimately, the Heat decided to make Ware off limits in any potential deal for Durant, which was believed to be one key reason why Phoenix preferred Houston’s offer to Miami’s.

Ware is now determined to make good on that show of confidence from the team that drafted him, writes Anthony Chiang for the Miami Herald. The soon-to-be second-year center understands the responsibility that comes from such a decision, and is working to put himself in the best possible position to reward Miami’s belief in him.

“It made me feel the Heat wanted me and they want to see how far I can get in the future and see how my development goes,” he said. “That makes me want to show them what I can do and how far I can go. … They see the potential in me and they see what I can be. So my main goal is to just sort of repay that they didn’t make a mistake.”

Ware averaged 9.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game for the Heat as a rookie after being selected with the 15th pick in the 2024 draft. After starting the season as a backup, he eventually moved into the starting lineup alongside longtime star big man Bam Adebayo and made 40 starts for the club between the regular season and playoffs. In that role, he averaged 10.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per night.

He has spent much of his offseason looking to add muscle and continue sharpening his skill set. Coming into the 2025 Summer League, Ware has one goal: to dominate.

“There are specifics that we’re trying to get into him,” said Heat assistant and Summer League head coach Eric Glass. “We always want to see him grow. There are leadership aspects. But he just needs to take the next step. He has all the capability in the world to go out and dominate games and practices, and that’s what we’re looking for from him.”

Ware echoed the sentiment.

“My goals for the offseason and in the summer league is to show that I added more to my game, that I’ve gotten strong in the weight room,” he said. “Just showing that I can be a force out there and be dominant.”

Ware’s Summer League will tip off on Saturday, July 5, at 3:30 pm Central time against the Spurs at this year’s California Classic. If all goes according to plan for him and the Heat, the 21-year-old will quickly become one of the annual “too good for Summer League” players and wrap up his summer well before the Las Vegas Summer League comes to a close later this month.