The decision to keep Kel'el Ware out of trade talks for Kevin Durant this past summer may have been polarizing at the time, but it's safe to say that the Miami Heat were 100 percent right. And Ware's play this season has completely vindicated their stance.
Losers of eight of the last 10 games, there hasn't been much that has gone in the Heat's direction of late. Even beyond the injuries, this is a team that has fallen into a pretty disastrous funk.
But if there's one bright spot amid the team's recent slide, it's certainly the play and continued development of Ware. He continues to improve with every passing game and has been putting up monstrous numbers over the last few games.
Kel'el Ware has been a force for the Heat
In his last three games, Ware is averaging 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks on 71 percent shooting from the field. He's also transformed into one of the best 3-point shooting threats.
I'm not sure that's the best-case scenario for the Heat, but it speaks to how talented Ware is as a player.
Sure, there are some concerns with his lapses at times on the defensive end of the floor, but he's playing with great confidence on the offensive end of the floor. And that's great to see for such a talented young player that struggled with that at times last season.
For the first time in a long time, it does feel as if the Heat has a blue-chip prospect on its hands.
Even though there was some expectation that was the case before the season, it's great to finally see it all come to fruition. Perhaps most importantly, the front office has to be breathing a sigh of relief after their decision to keep him out of trade talks for KD.
That decision has paid off in a big way.
Interestingly enough, KD would be a welcome sight for this Heat team. Still, it's hard to say Miami should've made that swap. I'm not so sure you make that trade today, especially what it would've cost the Heat in addition to Ware.
Even if it was just a straight KD for Ware swap, I can't imagine that single move alone would make the Heat a contender this season. At this stage of his career, the Heat aren't a KD acquisition away from being a championship contender.
For a front office that has been questioned many times over the last few years for their head-scratching decisions, it's great to see that they got at least this one right.
Ware is having a breakout season for the Heat, and we still may not have seen his best. The Heat's front office absolutely got this one right. Just a few months ago, I'm not sure there were many in the fan base that actually believed that.