Kel'el Ware #7 of the Miami Heat
Getty
Kel'el Ware #7 of the Miami Heat
The Miami Heat continue their three-game mini-series against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, having lost on Saturday at home while decidedly shorthanded. Not only was star scorer Tyler Herro still out, but so was wing Norman Powell, who missed the game for personal reasons and will miss Sunday’s game, too. But it was the relative absence of second-year big man Kel’el Ware that drew the most attention.
And with Ware, who began the season as a starter for 27 of the first 37 games, limited to just 3:11 of playing time against Chicago, it only made sense that the questions for coach Erik Spoelstra started with him. Ware has now played only 22 minutes in the last three games combined, though Spoelstra has said that the challenge in playing the Bulls is that they start small forward Patrick Williams at center.
Still, Spoelstra showed some frustration with the focus that has been on Ware, seemingly nonstop in recent days.
Erik Spoelstra: ‘Not an Indictment on Kel’el Ware’
Here’s what Spoelstra said when meeting with Miami Heat media on Saturday night:
“Look I know every press conference ends up being about him and I really don’t want it to be that. And this, I will go quickly on this. This game was not an indictment on Kel’el. This game was so fast. They were playing small forwards at center. The advantage was the speed and the quickness and all that, in my opinion. It was just not a typical game. I even thought we maybe should have downsized a little bit. Any advantage they had with speed, they made us pay for it. That had nothing to do with Kel’el.”
Still, Ware is very much in focus for the Heat these days. He is the prized piece that Miami could potentially give up in a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo–or any other star that might hit the market let in the process, a 7-footer who can block shots and shoot 3-pointers. But the fact that the Heat won’t play him much suggests he’s not the would-be star Miami wants everyone to think he is.
Erik Spoelstra
GettyMiami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra
Miami Heat Seeking a Blockbuster Trade
It’s been tough on Ware, who is now averaging 11.3 points and 9.3 rebounds on 53.9% shooting and 41.9% 3-point shooting. As the Miami Heat look for potential trades, Ware could be a key centerpiece.
Ware, who is in his second NBA season after having been the No. 15 pick in the 2024 draft, has heard his name bandied about plenty already.
“I mean, of course, I’ve seen it,” Ware said. “My people have told me. But at the end of the day, if they make that decision, they make that decision. And If not, then I’m just going to continue to go out here and play, regardless.”
Except, he’s not doing much playing lately.
“I mean, I can’t control it,” he said, via the Sun-Sentinel. “I mean, so really, it is what it is. Whatever he feels like that he sees or feels like playing me, I mean, like I said, it is what it is, control what you can control. And I’m just trying to go out there and do whatever I can in whatever time I get.”