The Miami Heat’s picks are in.
With the 15th overall pick, the team selected 7-foot-1 (with a 7-foot-4.5 wingspan) big man Kel’el Ware.
The following night, they ended up trading their 43rd pick for the 44th pick and cash considerations for the second round with the Atlanta Hawks. Miami used that pick to draft 6-foot-5 guard Pelle Larsson.
The work wasn’t done after that, as undrafted rookies Keshad Johnson and Zyon Pullin were brought aboard on two-way contracts. All in all, it was a very successful draft for the Heat’s front office. They made sure to get more athletic and bring in some size and length; something that has been a problem in recent years.
With his NBA comparison through media being the likes of Myles Turner, Ware doesn’t just bring size, but "functional size." He can play next to Bam Adebayo or behind him as a versatile two-way big with floor-stretching and shot-blocking abilities.
In Ware's sophomore college season at Indiana, he averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.9 blocks on 59% shooting and 43% from 3-point range.
Larsson averaged 12.8 points on 42.6% from 3-point range as a college senior last season for Arizona. Bleacher Report labeled the pick as a “well-rounded guard” as a shooter who “can fit into any type of system”.
As exciting as these picks are for Heat Nation, it could potentially leave current players as odd men out of the team’s rotation. Let’s go over five players on Miami’s roster that can be impacted by these two draft selections.
Orlando Robinson
Last summer, the Heat converted Orlando Robinson’s two-way contract to a standard contract. Outside of injuries to Bam Adebayo, who didn’t miss much time last season, Robinson didn’t see much playing time. That draft selection of Ware is only going to make that harder.
Robinson has some raw untapped potential as a 6-foot-10 big man with length. However, he could be viewed as the odd man out in the team’s depth chart. He averaged just 2.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 36 games during the 2023-2024 campaign.
He arguably had more opportunities the season prior, when Adebayo was sidelined with surgery for an extended time. With him healthy and Ware now in the mix, it leaves less chances for Robinson to step in.
Robinson's contract becomes guaranteed on July 15. The Heat could potentially waive him to open up another roster spot.
Thomas Bryant
Miami added veteran big Thomas Bryant during last year’s offseason. At the start of this past season, Bryant showed glimpses of earning a rotation spot with his energy and hustle. Unfortunately, defensive liabilities on the perimeter made it tough for him to continue earning regular time.
Coach Erik Spoelstra tends to lean towards giving guys time that can impact the game on both ends at a high level. Bryant is a great locker-room guy who can play in spurts, but he struggles defensively, especially when sliding over in rotations. If he is forced to switch onto quicker guys on the perimeter, he has struggled to hold his own.
Ware simply has more upside than Bryant and the team will be committed to the rookie's development, potentially making playing time hard to come by at the center position.
Bryant has a $2.8 million player option for next season and could opt out and seek an opportunity to play elsewhere.
Nikola Jovic
Nikola Jovic burst onto the scene this year as a regular starter at power forward next to Adebayo. Injuries paved the way for this promotion, and he showed plenty of development signs. Jovic shot an impressive 40% from 3-point range, a big increase from his rookie-year percentage of 22.9%.
His ball handling, length on both ends and ability to push the pace added an intriguing element to Spoelstra’s lineups with his length. Not to mention he made it easier for Adebayo to be more free on defensive matchups. It is unclear if Ware will immediately take Jovic's spot in the starting lineup, even though the Heat envision the rookie playing alongside Adebayo at some point.
However, there is a solid chance that could unfold throughout the next season over time. And if that’s the case, Jovic might be moved to a bench role. Regardless, he is going to have to perform well at training camp and pre-season to prove he is still making strides as a starting player with a 7-footer option like Ware around now.
Cole Swider
Larsson displayed a similar college game to the likes of Heat shooters Duncan Robinson and even Cole Swider. Robinson’s continued growth and veteran status make him a lock to earn a spot on this team. However, for current two-way guard Swider, it could now be even harder than ever.
Swider had some elite shooting performances with his team in Miami’s G-League Sioux Falls Skyforce runs. But he didn’t get much of a chance to translate his shooting ability to the NBA level. He only received time when numerous rotation players were unavailable.
With Larsson on the roster on a standard rookie contract, it could be fair to assume he would get more opportunity than Swider.
The Heat announced Friday that they have extended a qualifying offer to Cole Swider, making him a restricted free agent and allowing the Heat to match outside offers. A big Summer League performance could help Swider return to Miami next season.
Alondes Williams
After Miami parted ways with two-way guard RJ Hampton last season, Alondes Williams was called up from the Skyforce. His scoring dominance in the G League made him an easy choice to earn the promotion mid-season. He recorded a 50-point explosion and multiple 30 and 40-point outings.
In the slight opportunities he received on the Heat, he was unable to make much of an impact at all. The shooting and scoring ability hasn’t translated to NBA level just yet. Williams found himself going back and forth between getting more Skyforce reps and being on Miami’s bench.
A player like Swider may be more ready than the likes of Williams, and with Larsson in the fold, it will be tougher. Larsson’s status as a rookie-contract player will surely get chances over the likes of any of the two-way players.
The Heat also extended a qualifying offer to Williams on Friday, making him a restricted free agent. Swider and Williams are both expected to participate on the Heat's Summer League team.