Kel’el Ware is starting to make some real noise in Miami - and Sunday night at Madison Square Garden might’ve been his loudest statement yet.
The 7-footer turned in a monster performance in the Heat’s 132-125 loss to the Knicks, dropping 28 points and pulling down 19 rebounds in what was easily one of the most impressive outings of his young career. And while Miami didn’t walk away with the win, Ware’s play was impossible to ignore.
This wasn’t just a one-off either. After a quiet start to the season, the rookie big man is beginning to find his rhythm - and it’s showing in the box score and on the court.
He’s averaging 12.5 points and 10.7 rebounds per game on the year, shooting a highly efficient 56% from the field and an eye-popping 48% from three. That kind of inside-out production is rare for a rookie center, and it’s a big reason why head coach Erik Spoelstra is starting to lean on him more and more.
Ware’s development hasn’t just been about stats. It’s about trust - and he’s earning it.
Spoelstra has gradually increased his role, and Ware’s been rising to the occasion. He’s not just grabbing boards and finishing lobs; he’s spacing the floor, protecting the rim, and showing flashes of the two-way impact Miami hoped for when they brought him in.
Still, not everyone sees Ware as a long-term fixture in South Beach.
Former NBA guard Jeff Teague recently weighed in on his podcast, floating the idea that Ware’s breakout could make him a valuable trade chip if the Heat decide to chase a superstar. Teague name-dropped Giannis Antetokounmpo - a massive hypothetical, of course - and suggested that a package involving Ware, Tyler Herro, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. could be the kind of deal Milwaukee would entertain.
“He’s very negotiable,” Teague said. “Giannis is sitting there somewhere. Milwaukee is going to want Ware, Herro, and Jaquez… He does this once every blue moon though.”
That last line is key. For all the potential Ware’s showing, consistency is the next step. Sunday’s performance was dominant, but the challenge now is stringing together those kinds of games - or at least flashes - on a regular basis.
The Heat, meanwhile, have cooled off a bit after a strong start to the season. They’re looking to regain their footing in a competitive Eastern Conference, and Ware’s upward trajectory could be a big part of that. Whether he’s a core piece for the long haul or a rising asset in a potential blockbuster, one thing’s clear: Kel’el Ware is officially on the radar.
And if he keeps playing like this, he won’t be coming off it anytime soon.