The Miami Heat are in the midst of a chapter that most fans, player, coaches, and executives would rather soon forget. Less than two years removed from reaching the NBA Finals for the second time this decade, Miami is well on its way to an ugly divorce from franchise player Jimmy Butler.
While Butler is certain to leave a void along the perimeter, rookie center Kel'el Ware is reminding the Heat that the future is bright in other areas.
Despite the fact that it's already played 16 games without Butler, Miami is currently 20-18 and inching closer to avoiding the Play-In Tournament. The veterans have been the stars of the show, with Tyler Herro making a strong case for All-Star status and Bam Adebayo continuing to offer a bit of everything.
Miami is nothing if not a team that understands the value of depth, however, and Ware is beginning to look like one of the most valuable reserves they have.
Selected at No. 15 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Ware has thus far averaged just 12.9 minutes per game. He's begun to break out in January, however, turning an uptick in playing time into a remarkably strong display of two-way potential.
That includes Ware's emergence as a player who's ready to protect the paint, space the floor, crash the boards, and even take over the occasional game as a scorer.
Kel'el Ware is showing flashes of brilliance for Heat in January
Ware has averaged 20.0 minutes per game across eight appearances for the Heat in January. During that time, he's put up averages of 11.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.1 three-point field goals made on an absurd slash line of .655/.600/.667.
Beyond his averages, Ware has taken criticism in stride and turned in performances that seem to be actively acknowledging what some may have perceived as weaknesses.
Ware burst onto the scene by putting up 25 points, three blocks, and a steal in just 21 minutes against the Pacers. He shot 9-of-11 from the field, went 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and buried four of his five free throw attempts.
The flaw that many identified: Ware pulled down a grand total of zero rebounds—a fact he acknowledged just 11 days later with 19 points and a career-high 13 boards.
The 20-year-old is likely to have continued bouts with inconsistency, but his upside has been on display for all to see. On the season, he's averaging 17.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.3 offensive boards, 1.2 assists, 2.4 blocks, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Beyond the numbers, he's using his 7'4.5" wingspan to thrive as a disruptive defensive force who could potentially start alongside Adebayo.
Moving forward, it's fair to expect Ware to see his unsustainable efficiency come back down to earth, and for the typical rookie woes to rear their head. In saying that, the Heat have every reason for confidence in a player who's shaping up to be their latest in a long line of NBA Draft success stories.
It may not change how devastating it would be to end the Butler era on such a disappointing note, but Ware's emergence is a refreshing reminder of how promising the Heat's future remains.