The Miami Heat have one of the highest-valued young centers in the NBA in second-year player Kel’el Ware.
Ware, who is sixth in the NBA with 10.6 rebounds per game, has been one of the best players early on from the 2024 NBA draft class. Greg Sylvander of 5ReasonsSports reported that Ware’s is viewed highly across the league.
“His value across the league is increasing tremendously,” Sylvander said. “Rightfully, so.”
The Heat decided not to trade Ware in the offseason, despite being in discussions with the Phoenix Suns for a potential Kevin Durant trade.
That decision seems to have paid off massively, with Ware increasing his production in most major statistical categories.
He’s notably increased his three-point percentage to 47.1% on nearly three attempts per game.
Ware could still be on the move due to his high value across the league and the Heat’s struggles in December. However, Head Coach Erik Spoelstra has seen improvement from his young star.
“He’s been stacking some good days,” Spoelstra said. “You do that long enough, eventually you start to get some results out of it.”
Miami Heat’s Tough Love has Paid Off
GettyMiami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra has been critical of Kel’el Ware throughout his career.
Kel’el Ware has experienced considerable success lately, but the road to this point hasn’t always been smooth.
Erik Spoelstra, at many times, was blunt about his expectations for Ware, openly criticizing the young center to the media.
“The professionalism and consistency have to improve,” Spoelstra said over the Summer. “Our standards are not going to change.”
Ware has taken the open criticism and improved his game dramatically. Gradually, Spoelstra’s criticism has turned into praise of the second-year player from Indiana.
“I just take it as they want to see me be better and be a better version of myself,” Ware told Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
Ware has certainly been a better version of the player he was last season. He’s one of just nine players this season averaging a double-double.
He also has more 20-point double-doubles than players such as Evan Mobley and Paolo Banchero.
Miami Heat Won’t be Trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo
GettyDespite trade rumors, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will likely not be traded.
The Miami Heat were one of the primary teams being mentioned in a potential trade for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks front office, however, is telling teams that Antetokounmpo is not for sale.
“I’ve spoken to plenty of GMs that would love to have Giannis and have tried to talk to Bucks GM Jon Horst about acquiring him and quite frankly, he’s not going anywhere,” NBA insider Michael Scotto said. “They’ve been telling me the Bucks have been steadfast that he’s not going anywhere.”
If the Heat were preparing to offer a trade package for Antetokounmpo, Kel’el Ware was likely at the center of it.
Despite the Bucks’ lack of recent success and Antetokounmpo’s strange words, it seems the Bucks’ front office won’t be trading their superstar.
The Heat could still target other stars who are rumored to be on the move. Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant could be a target of Pat Riley’s.
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