Kel’el Ware took summer league by storm and made plenty Heat fans excited for his rookie preview. Ware wasn’t commonly mocked to be selected by the Heat at 15th overall. He wasn’t thought to be the perfect fit for Miami, but ‘Heat Culture’ may be the best situation for Ware.
Let’s take a look at Ware’s rookie preview for the upcoming season.
NBA Rookie Preview: Kel’el Ware
Prospect Profile
Ware was a big time recruit coming out of high school as the eighth overall prospect in the 2022 class. He would sign with the University of Oregon where he’d have an up and down freshman campaign. He garnered concerns about his overall consistency, specifically his effort and motor. Nobody doubted Ware’s NBA traits though. Standing at seven-foot-one and containing elite athleticism for his size, he shines as a shot-blocker and lob-dunk finisher.
After transferring to Indiana for his sophomore season, Ware showed a better overall version of himself. He played harder and there were far less pedestrian performances. Ware finished his sophomore season averaging 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. He also flashed shooting touch by hitting 42.5 percent of his threes, albeit on only 1.3 attempts per game. At his floor, he hopes to fill the Dereck Lively role in this NBA draft class as a vertical spacer.
Team Fit
At first glance, Ware’s selection was an interesting fit alongside the newly extended Bam Adebayo. While it’s true Adebayo and Ware may not be the best floor spacing lineup, the Heat were thinking strategically as always. For starters, outside of Ware, veteran Thomas Bryant is the only other center on the roster behind Adebayo. Even at the the other frontcourt position, an aging Kevin Love is arguably the only true power forward. The Heat’s real depth comes on the wings and at the point guard positions. They have proven playmakers in Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, and Tyler Herro. Then there was the emergence of NBA All-Rookie first team selection, Jaime Jaquez Jr. When you take a step back, grabbing Ware for big man depth was a great move. Outside of Adebayo, the Heat’s true core players are all guards and small forwards.
The next step in this equation is the idea of future development in both Adebayo and Ware. On the court at the same time, the Heat’s interior defense and overall athleticism is certainly increased. The only concern would be floor spacing offensively. First, Adebayo is already on the record saying he plans to shoot more threes this season. Next, Ware has shown some promise from beyond the arc in his sophomore season at Indiana, as well as the NBA summer league. In six games in Las Vegas, Ware shot 30.0 percent from deep on 1.5 attempts per game while shooting 70.0 percent from the free-throw line. If either Ware or Adebayo develop their perimeter shooting game to consistent levels, their lineup versatility with each other and everyone else will drastically increase.
Predictions
Ware was an All-Summer league first team selection alongside only one other rookie. I think it’s very possible he can follow this up with a first team All-Rookie selection for the 2024-25 season. Ware has all the ingredients you look for when analyzing what a successful rookie season may need. He should have opportunity as one of few big men in Miami, and he has great athletic tools to fill a specific role. When you take into account ‘Heat Culture’s’ knack for developing talent and the fact they should have solid team success, Ware’s rookie preview looks promising.
He has to stay healthy and actually go perform consistently of course, but I think Ware is more than capable. In a draft class that may not have anyone be their team’s primary star, projected role players like Ware have bigger opportunity for accolades.
