The New Orleans Pelicans kept things quiet at the 2026 trade deadline, making just one move and opting to ride out the rest of the season with their current core. But with the offseason looming, the next opportunity to reshape the roster is already on the horizon - and there’s a name that makes a lot of sense for New Orleans: Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware.
Ware, just 21 and in his second NBA season, has already flashed the kind of two-way upside that turns heads. At 7 feet tall, he’s averaging 11.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game while knocking down nearly 40% from three - a rare blend of rim protection and floor spacing that’s tough to find in a young big. But despite the production, his fit in Miami has been rocky, and his relationship with head coach Erik Spoelstra seems to be wearing thin.
The Spoelstra-Ware Disconnect
Spoelstra hasn’t exactly hidden his frustrations with Ware. Throughout the season, he’s publicly questioned Ware’s consistency and effort, and those comments have shown up in the box score.
One night, Ware’s logging close to 30 minutes and making an impact on both ends. The next, he’s barely seeing the floor - or not at all.
The low point came in a January 15 matchup against the Celtics. The Heat blew a 19-point lead and lost 119-114, and Ware played less than nine minutes, going 1-for-5 from the field.
After the game, Spoelstra made it clear he wasn’t happy, saying Ware was “stacking up too many bad days in a row.” That kind of statement from a coach like Spo carries weight, and it didn’t take long for Ware’s name to surface in trade rumors - including whispers about being part of a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo package.
But if Miami swings and misses on Giannis, and instead looks to pivot to another physically dominant forward, someone like Zion Williamson could come into focus. That’s where the Pelicans enter the picture.
A Fit That Makes Sense for Both Sides
If New Orleans decides this summer is the time to explore trading Williamson, Ware should be a central piece coming back. Yes, there are questions about Ware’s motor and consistency - and those concerns are valid. But the Pelicans have two glaring issues that Ware could help solve immediately: size and spacing.
Let’s start with the numbers. The Pelicans currently rank fourth-worst in the league in three-pointers made per game and give up the second-most offensive rebounds.
That’s a brutal combination in today’s NBA, and it starts with the frontcourt. New Orleans is rolling out a starting duo of 6-foot-6 Zion Williamson and 6-foot-9 Derik Queen - talented, sure, but undersized and lacking range.
Between the two of them, they’re barely making a third of a three-pointer per game.
Ware brings a different dimension. He stretches the floor with his three-point shooting and gives the Pelicans a legitimate rim protector - something they’ve sorely lacked.
Swapping Williamson for Ware (plus salary filler) would give New Orleans a frontcourt pairing of Queen and Ware, both standing 6-foot-9 or taller, with complementary skill sets. That’s a better defensive look, a better rebounding duo, and a better fit for the offensive spacing needed to unlock the rest of the roster.
Building Around the Young Core
The other key piece here is timeline. The Pelicans are clearly building around young guards like Jeremiah Fears, and Queen looks like a long-term piece as well.
Ware fits that window. He’s still just scratching the surface of what he can be, and in the right environment - one where his minutes are more stable and his role is clearly defined - there’s every reason to believe his game can take another leap.
And if you need a reminder of what Ware can do when he’s locked in, look no further than his December performance against the Knicks: 28 points, 19 rebounds, and a dominant presence on both ends. That wasn’t a fluke - it was a glimpse of what he could bring to a team like New Orleans on a more consistent basis.
Final Thoughts
There’s no perfect trade in the NBA, and moving a two-time All-Star like Zion Williamson would be a major shake-up. But if the Pelicans decide it’s time to go in a different direction, targeting Kel’el Ware makes a lot of sense.
He’s young, skilled, and fits the roster’s biggest needs. More importantly, he aligns with the long-term vision the Pelicans seem to be building toward.
Sometimes, one move can solve multiple problems. For New Orleans, Ware might just be that move.