Kel'el Ware is still just scratching the surface of his ultimate potential for the Miami Heat, but a 2024 NBA re-draft by Bleacher Report continues to prove that the young center truly has changed everything for this franchise.
In a re-draft by BR, Ware came in at No. 10, after originally being taken outside the lottery by the Heat in the original draft. But even if No. 10 isn't high enough for some Heat fans, when you take a look at the complete list, there's a chance that Ware will only continue to climb the ladder over the next few years.
Here is the official top 10 re-draft by BR:
1. Stephon Castle
2. Alex Sarr
3. Kyshawn George
4. Matas Buzelis
5. Reed Sheppard
6. Zach Edey
7. Donovan Clingan
8. Ajay Mitchell
9. Jaylon Tyson
10. Kel'el Ware
Kel'el Ware has a ton of untapped potential
Again, there are arguments that Ware should be higher on this list. But, in BR's defense, they did factor in current production at this point in their careers. There's a case to be made that Ware's ceiling is higher than some of these players listed higher than him, but he'll have to prove that before he can leapfrog them.
And that's fair. While Ware has had a good start to his career, he still hasn't had that big breakout moment or stretch. It does appear - and feel - as if he's inching closer to that, but that's yet to arrive.
Ware continues to show impressive flashes of potential, and even got his time to shine on the national stage in the NBA's Rising Star Challenge this past weekend, but he's still at the point where he needs to turn that potential into consistent production.
Interestingly enough, that's kind of been the big issue for him in Miami. It's that consistent production that Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra continues to look for.
If Ware can show more consistency down the stretch and prove that he can coexist more effectively alongside Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt for the Heat, the national narrative around him will continue to shift.
And if that continues to take shape, there's no question that Ware is going to go from one of the most unappreciated players in Miami to one of the best young players in the Association.
Ware has all the talent and potential in the world. Whether he can hit his ceiling as a young player remains to be seen. If it's going to happen, though, you'd have to trust that the Heat is one of the best organizations that can help get him there.