Heat first-year center Kel’el Ware is quietly moving up the rookie rankings and is now seen as a favorite for the Rookie of the Year award. He started the second half of a blowout win against the Spurs on Jan. 19, scoring 25 points, and has since been promoted to the starting lineup alongside Bam Adebayo, allowing the latter to slide down to the four spot.
“It was working,” coach Erik Spoelstra said of starting the pair together, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst (Insider link). “There’s a lot of complex decisions that we’re trying to make. If there’s something that’s obvious, and it’s working in a big way, let’s do it.”
In his three games getting extended looks next to Adebayo, Ware is averaging 22.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per night while shooting 52.9% from the field and launching 6.0 three-point attempts per game. Really, his improvement’s been on display since the start of the month. In 13 games in January, he’s averaging 13.6 PPG and 7.0 RPG. It’s a remarkable turnaround for a player who didn’t often see many minutes in 2024.
“There’s not a better organization for him to have gone to than that one,” a Western Conference scout told ESPN.
We have more from the Heat:
- Another Heat rookie got a chance to stand out as Pelle Larsson was elevated to the starting lineup on Thursday against the Bucks, as observed by the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson (Twitter link). Larsson took over Jimmy Butler‘s starting position with the six-time All-Star suspended by the team, supplanting Jaime Jaquez Jr., who had claimed that spot during Butler’s previous suspension. Larsson quickly got into foul trouble, however, and only played 14 minutes. He’s averaging 4.3 points in 27 games this year.
- Terry Rozier is a “strong believer” that his and the Heat’s play will turn around during the second half of the season, according to HoopsHype’s Cyro Asseo de Choch. Rozier admitted that it has been a challenge adjusting his style of play this year. “When we look at last year, I probably got 8-10 ball screens a game. Now I probably don’t get more than one to two ball screens,” Rozier said. “And it’s not a knock on anybody. We obviously have players who we’re mainly worried about. And we’re trying to get active and we’re trying to get going. So I’m just trying to find my ways, find my rhythm. And it’s been kind of, it’s been kind of tough this season. But I think right now where I’m at, my headspace and everything, I kind of know what I want to do and how I can help this team go forward.”
- There’s a myriad of potential outcomes for the Heat’s standoff with Butler, Ira Winderman of South Florida’s Sun Sentinel writes. It would be a win for Butler if he ends up in his preferred destination, Phoenix, while the Heat would come away victorious if they obtained their ideal trade package by moving him. Rolling suspensions, paying him not to play, and a messy summer could all come into play if Butler isn’t moved at the deadline, Winderman writes.
- Bucks head coach Doc Rivers offered some sympathies to Spoelstra in regard to the Butler dilemma on Thursday before the two teams squared off. “I just hope they find a way through it,” Rivers said, per Winderman (Twitter link). “I feel terrible for Spo. There’s no winning for Spo.” As Winderman relays, Rivers noted that he dealt with a similar situation with Ben Simmons in Philadelphia.
How is Kelel the favorite when he played like 10 games. I understand he is doing amazing and if he keeps this up he might win it, but not right now.
It tells you just how bad the rookie class is. Kel’el was gifted with the prototype body for what the NBA wants centers to look like, and has the rim protecting, floor runner who shoots the three attributes. Do you want Ware or Sarr? Or Risacher?? Yves Missi is averaging 9.1 points, 8.1 boards and 1.5 blocks. #21 pick for Pelicans.
All you have to do is watch highlights of Kel’el Ware with the Heat, and you will ask yourself how could anybody had thought about drafting Clingan or Edey ahead of him. Miami still doing things the old school way. Got him his G-League time. Kid was a McDonald’s All-American, went to Oregon and underachieved as a freshman. He is not an “alpha”. He is a guy who fits nicely when given specific roles. Was still up and down as a sophomore at Indiana, but all you had to do was look at his size, mobility and skill set to know he was a 1st rounder. Body has improved greatly in the past year. Huge miss by Sacramento who could have scooped him at #13 instead of Devin Carter. Miami got him at #15. No idea why Utah passed on him for Cody Williams. He is absolutely nothing like his brother with OKC.
Not wrong , loved Ware at the draft, was hoping hed fall to 17 for the Lakers
Scary him and Bam moving forward , great base to build off that also fits well w Herro. And he’s only 20 !
Ware is definitely looking like the big steal of this draft…
Kid has a lot of tools… And this pairing with Bam is looking deadly…
Love the synergy between the two
I wonder who it was that said. Love to see Bam at the 4. Heat should draft Ware ……. I wonder ????
Best thing Heat can do now. Is move on from Jimmy. And add to this team. To make a run this yr. And really be geared up for next yr. With a decent trade (picks).