When it comes to finding and developing young talent, there is nobody better in the business than the Miami Heat. Whether it’s the draft, undrafted free agents or finding the right veteran fits, Miami's scouting and player development program is top-tier. The Heat have seen this with recent undrafted guys like Haywood Highsmith, Caleb Martin, Max Strus and Gabe Vincent all earning paydays from their Heat tenures.
They have been able to hit with a lot of their recent draft selections, starting with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. followed up those franchise-altering talents, and now rookies Kel’el Ware and Pelle Larsson look like other potential hits.
The work wasn’t done with the draft, with Pat Riley bringing aboard new undrafted faces that are hungry to prove their worth. Keshad Johnson and Josh Christopher have already earned two-way spots with the team following their impressive summer league performances. Dru Smith and Isaiah Stevens are also in the fold to secure that final spot.
But which of these hungry young guys can really play their way into the Heat’s plans in the near future?
1. Kel’el Ware
The Heat’s undefeated summer league run gave some needed experience with their 15th overall 2024 draft pick in Ware. The 7-foot frame of the youngster out of Indiana provides the team with size and length that they haven’t had in quite some time. His potential was showcased during the summer league championship, where he averaged nearly 18 and 9 throughout the entirety of the games.
That potential was immediately carried over into Miami’s first preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets. After not even receiving playing time until the third quarter, Ware wound up tying a team-high 13 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 4 blocks on 5/9 shooting and one 3-point make. With the rawness in his game as a 20 year old rookie, it has seemed like Ware may not get any minutes right out of the gate.
Even so, don’t be surprised if he plays his way into earning some minutes.
2. Pelle Larsson
Another standout from the first preseason game came from Larsson. He shined in his first NBA preseason action, finishing with 10 points on 4 of 5 shooting, two assists and one steal. Larsson seems like the perfect role-playing wing in coach Erik Spoelstra’s system. There is some size to his build as a hybrid shooting guard or small forward, and he won't be afraid to step in and take charges on the defensive end.
He has a knack for getting to the right spots on both ends of the floor, whether he is getting into passing lanes or making cuts to the basket. Larsson's natural feel for the game and hustle is intriguing.
3. Keshad Johnson
There are two things that make a perfect Heat role player: defense and versatility. Luckily for Johnson, these are his two best attributes and proved so after an impressive summer league performance. He is a perfect Swiss Army knife type of contributor who could play and defend multiple positions on the court.
Johnson also has those hustle and energy intangibles. He isn’t afraid to step in and provide a jolt defensively with his length on the perimeter. There isn’t a ceiling here compared to Ware or even the likes of Larsson, but Johnson does all the little things that could make himself crack Spoelstra's lineups, especially if injuries start to pile up.