The Miami Heat might kiss this young star goodbye in an effort to build a title-worthy roster.
Since joining the NBA as an expansion team in 1988, the Miami Heat have only missed the playoffs 11 times, which is stunning for a team that started from scratch.
Under Pat Riley, one of the core beliefs of “Heat Culture” is an unwillingness to give less than their all. That means losing, especially on purpose in the name of a “tank,” is not even a possibility.
With Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Terry Rozier, Andrew Wiggins, and Nikola Jovic all expected not to be offered an extension before the loaded free agent class of 2027, Miami will likely compete for the fifth or sixth seed in the next two seasons before targeting a superstar like Donovan Mitchell, Nikola Jokic, or Giannis Antetokounmpo.
If Miami is unable to entice a free agent, it might load up a trade package in an effort to pull off a blockbuster.
Trading Kel’el Ware Is On the Table for Miami Heat
Kel’el Ware finished on the All-Rookie Second Team and averaged 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds. Critically, he flashed an ability to play next to Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt, and Miami could be building a modern Twin Towers lineup.
The Heat made an underwhelming bid for Kevin Durant this offseason before the Houston Rockets snatched him up, although Ware was not included in the offer.
That doesn’t mean he’s untouchable, as Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes suggested that he would eagerly be traded away in a deal for a younger star.
“There’s a difference between not wanting to flip a 21-year-old for a 36-year-old on an expiring contract and actually making that young player outright untouchable,” Hughes explained. “There’s almost assuredly a return rich enough for Miami to loosen its grip on Ware, but it would take quite a bit.”
While Ware has high-level talent, his effort and defensive skillset have been questioned by Erik Spoelstra and his college coaches back in Indiana and Oregon. That lack of discipline will not fly in Miami, although Riley and company have shown some patience with Ware.
Ware is easily the best young player in Miami, at least until Kasparas Jakučionis finds his footing, but with Miami totally unwilling to tank to insulate him with more young talent and rebuilding organically, trading him and other assets for a star is a more logical approach.
“A team source said that the reason Heat hasn’t tried to collect a cornucopia of first-round picks — as the Knicks, Rockets and Spurs have done — is twofold,” explained The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson. “Doing that would run counter to Miami’s core philosophy of: 1). Never again tanking and intentionally taking steps back with the hope of a brighter future. 2). Always trying to win as many games as possible every season, even if the roster isn’t championship-caliber.”
With those two non-negiables outlined, it’s incredibly easy to see the Heat’s front office throwing money at Mitchell, Jokic, or Giannis in free agency 2027 to pair with Adebayo, and trading Ware for a complimentary player who fits better with the two established stars.
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