It's become pretty clear over the last few months that Bam Adebayo is no longer the starting center for the Miami Heat. That job now belongs to Kel'el Ware. Bam is still a starter, but he'll likely be sliding to the power forward position full-time this coming season for the Heat.
And it's probably for the best. Bam playing the power forward position will take significant pressure off his shoulders on both ends of the floor, and should help him take some of the wear and tear off his body throughout the course of the 82-game regular-season schedule.
With the way the Heat have been pushing the Ware narrative, it's almost certain that the intention is for him to be the starter at the center position to begin the year. Whether he'll prove his worth in training camp and whether he can keep the job as the season unwinds remains to be seen.
But, at least for now, it's pretty safe to assume that Ware is going to be the starting center this year.
The Heat are all-in on Kel'el Ware
With how the Heat managed Ware at the end of last season, and with how they've challenged him (publicly) this summer, it's pretty clear how much Miami greatly values his development at this point.
The Heat are all-in on Ware and understandably so. After deciding not to make a big splash for a star player this past offseason, the Heat are banking on some of their young players making unexpected leaps in their development this year. Ware is certainly near the top of those candidates.
If he does grab the starting position by the horns, there's reason to believe that he's a talented enough difference-maker on both ends of the floor that he could help alter the ceiling for the Heat this year.
I don't think anyone envisions Ware to catapult this team to championship status this season single-handedly, but there's no question he could help solidify a position of need for the Heat, and take significant pressure of the team's most important player.
If Bam doesn't have to worry as much about protecting the basket or banging around in the paint with the opposing team's big men, it should help open up other avenues of his game to truly flourish.
That certainly has to be one of the hopes for the Heat in trying to slide Bam to the power forward position, while giving the green light to Ware.
For the first time in a long time, the Heat finally have a starting-worthy center next to Bam.