Kel'el Ware is preparing for just his sophomore season, but there's no question he's an important part of the Miami Heat's equation for 2025-26. In fact, if Ware makes the developmental leap fans are hoping for, he could end up changing all the math for the Heat this year.
Theoretically speaking, if the Heat are going to emerge as a truly competitive team, they're going to need one of their unlikely players to make a significant jump. For the most part, the Heat knows what it's going to get from Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Even to a certain extent, the Heat knows the type of players Norman Powell and Davion Mitchell will be.
Ware, however, is a talented developing player who could emerge as a true difference-maker for the Heat. If he keeps improving and solidifies himself as an impactful starting center next to Bam in the frontcourt, everything could be altered for the Heat this season.
Kel'el Ware's high ceiling
One of the bigger reasons why the Heat drafted Ware was his high ceiling as a player. There are not many limitations in Ware's game as a whole. He can pass, shoot, rebound, defend at the rim, and is still improving on each of those facets.
That said, he's not extremely polished in any one area just yet, and that's what makes him somewhat of an unknown heading into the new season.
If he were to make a jump toward a more complete player in even two of those categories, he will quickly climb the ranks among the Heat's most important players this season. With as many questions as the Heat may have heading into a "gap" year, it would be a great development if Ware isn't one of them.
All eyes will be on Kel'el Ware
But defining what a successful season will be for Ware could be difficult. On one hand, the hope is that Ware breaks through his ceiling as a player and proves that the Heat were right in not including him in any offers to the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant.
On the other hand, that may be a bit too much pressure to put on his 21-year-old shoulders.
Considering how much of a rukus was made out of his up-and-down summer league performance, you can bet that he's going to be under a microscope this season. That can be both a good and bad thing.
The expectations will be high for Ware heading into his second season in the NBA. And if he meets them, the entire narrative surrounding the Heat in the Eastern Conference will quickly change.