5 Takeaways from the Heat's summer league title run: Kel'el Ware is ready
2. Do you think Kel’el Ware is ready to play NBA rotation minutes and, if so, what should his role be early on in his rookie season?
Villasis: I believe that Ware is ready to play rotation minutes and his role should be the backup five. Ware shouldn’t be thrown in the fire and play 20-plus minutes, but Ware should have the chance early on that he can be a key rotation player for the season and in the future.
Riccio: I absolutely think Ware is capable of playing NBA rotation minutes. As much as I’m hoping that Ware stands out at training camp to earn a starting role, I do think coach Erik Spoelstra will opt to work him in from a bench role early on. Although he has shown ample talent and ability as a viable big man with functional size in summer league, he is still raw. There is a lot he is going to have to learn in a short amount of time, especially if the Heat are aiming to jump back into contender conversations. Gaining a few extra pounds of grown-man muscle will go a long way for Ware, but he is still talented enough to receive regular rotation minutes right out of the gate off the bench. He should be a no-brainer to back up Adebayo come the start of the 2023-24 season.
Meadows: I do believe Ware is ready to play NBA rotation minutes or is certainly capable. I don’t see Erik Spoelstra throwing him into the starting lineup anytime soon. I see him being a backup to Bam off the bench this season, and gradually working his way up to playing big minutes. Good things come to those who wait. His size, talent, and ability is there, and he’s aware that the Heat is a team that holds an infamously high standard. Ware has a lot to learn, especially when first entering the league, and on a team such as this one. He, however, is in good hands as Miami excels in player development. Ware has shown Pat Riley and the coaching staff that he had what it took to be drafted by this team, now he has to continue to consistently put in the work, and prove why he deserved to be chosen to be part of this roster.
Sims: Kel'el Ware could be ready to play NBA minutes. Standing at 7-foot with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, he has the potential to block shots, catch lobs, and provide spot minutes for Bam Adebayo. However, the question remains: will Erik Spoelstra limit his minutes as he did with Adebayo in his rookie season? Or will he follow a similar path as he did with Nikola Jovic a few years ago? Ware is in competition with the floor-spacing Kevin Love and Thomas Bryant for the backup center spot. This is a development that we should all keep a close eye on.