The Miami Heat have a history of drafting well and taking risks on undrafted free agents that eventually payoff for them. Caleb Martin, Duncan Robinson, Gabe Vincent, and Max Strus are all undrafted free agents who thrived in a Heat uniform and significantly impacted the franchise in recent years.
Josh Richardson was a second-round pick who became an impactful two-way player for the Heat and eventually other playoff teams. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo were both late lottery picks for the Heat who have been crucial to the team’s success in recent years.
Most recently, Jaime Jaquez was selected as the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and emerged as an impactful player for Miami, especially in Jimmy Butler’s absence, leading the team in games played and receiving votes for the Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year awards, and earning All-Rookie honors.
The Miami Heat continue to hit on their draft picks
Kel’el Ware may be the latest name to be added to Miami’s list of draft steals. Drafted just outside of the lottery with the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, it didn’t take long for Ware to stand out amongst his peers. Although his play was a tad inconsistent at times, his potential as a two-way player was on full display in the Summer League.
Ware uses his instincts and supreme athleticism to be a force in the paint on both ends of the court. He can play above the rim, finish over the top of defenders, and protect the rim by altering and blocking shots in the paint.
He also displayed a nifty mid-range shot and a willingness to shoot from behind the arc, although he needs to improve on the latter. In eight Summer League games, the seven-footer averaged 18.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, helping lead the Heat to a Summer League Championship. He also recorded five double-doubles and had three games with at least three blocks.
He’s still rough around the edges and has a lot to learn as he adjusts to the NBA but he’s already proven to be a smart and efficient scorer with good instincts on both sides of the ball, who can thrive while playing within the system. And now he has the luxury of learning from one of the greatest head coaches in NBA history, Erick Spoelstra, and three-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive player, Adebayo.
It may be a little presumptuous, but the Heat continue to show they’re one of the most intelligent front offices in the NBA. Couple that with the organization’s track record for developing players and maximizing talent, and it’s fair to say Ware will develop into a future All-Star and All-Defensive player and be the steal of the draft.