The Golden State Warriors are reportedly exploring a trade that would send Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and draft capital to the Miami Heat in exchange for Andrew Wiggins. But as is often the case with NBA trades, the math has to work - and right now, the salaries don’t quite line up. That’s where Kel’el Ware enters the conversation.
Ware, a second-year big man, could be the kind of high-upside piece that helps balance the deal while also addressing a long-standing issue for Golden State: the center position. For years, the Warriors have patched together solutions in the middle, relying on small-ball lineups and veteran stopgaps. Ware could offer something different - a long-term answer with real two-way potential.
Now, let’s be clear: Ware isn’t exactly the prototypical Warrior. He’s young, raw, and still developing.
His motor and overall impact on winning have been questioned, even by Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. And with a hamstring injury currently sidelining him, his stock isn’t exactly soaring at the moment.
But that might actually work in Golden State’s favor. If the Heat are ready to move on, and the Warriors are willing to part with the right draft assets, Ware could be a sneaky-smart addition to a larger Wiggins deal.
Yes, there’s a risk here. Steve Kerr hasn’t always had the smoothest track record with raw young talent - just look at the ups and downs with Kuminga.
Bringing in another developmental project might not be high on Kerr’s wish list, especially with the team still trying to find its identity this season. But there are a few reasons this move could make sense for the front office, regardless of how Kerr feels about it.
First, Ware’s current situation in Miami hasn’t allowed him much room to grow. He’s been stuck behind Bam Adebayo, one of the league’s premier bigs.
In Golden State, the path to playing time is much clearer. The Warriors have already experimented with second-year center Quinten Post as a starter, only to pivot back to small-ball lineups - a sign that they’re still searching for stability at the five.
Second, if the Warriors are only bringing in Wiggins and Ware, they’re essentially signaling that this season isn’t about chasing a title. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a franchise that’s been living in championship-or-bust mode for nearly a decade.
But if they’re not moving Jimmy Butler and the Kuminga situation is beyond repair, it might be time to look ahead. Ware gives them a chance to do just that - to test out a possible long-term solution at center over the final stretch of the season.
And third, the uncertainty around Kerr’s future could open the door for moves that look beyond the current coaching regime. With his contract set to expire and no extension in place, there’s a real possibility this is Kerr’s final run with the Warriors. That means the front office might be thinking less about short-term fit and more about building the next era of Warriors basketball.
The numbers back up the intrigue. Ware finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting last season and is averaging 11.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in just under 24 minutes per game this year. He’s also quietly become a real threat from deep, knocking down 41.5% of his threes - a rare combination of rim protection and floor spacing that fits the modern NBA mold.
Golden State doesn’t currently have a player like that in its rotation. And if the season is already trending away from contention, there’s value in taking a calculated swing.
Ware might not be a sure thing, but he’s the kind of athletic, versatile big the Warriors have been missing. If nothing else, he gives them a look at what the future could be - and right now, that might be worth the gamble.