The Miami Heat drafted Kel’el Ware 15th overall in 2024, and after some early growing pains, he stepped into the starting lineup in January. Now, with Ware allowing Bam Adebayo to slide over to his natural power forward spot, the Heat have a new foundation to build on.
Following their heartbreaking loss to Denver in the 2022-23 NBA Finals, Miami has stumbled in back-to-back first-round exits. Head coach Erik Spoelstra sees Ware as a key piece for turning things around in 2024-25, but he’s not sugarcoating what needs to happen first.
What Does Erik Spoelstra Want To See From Kel’el Ware This Summer?
Spoelstra didn’t mince words when he spoke to the media after Saturday’s practice at the 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas. When asked about evaluating Ware’s offseason progress, the coach got straight to the point.
“So, okay, there’s layers to this with Kel’el,” Spoelstra said. “You know, a big part of this is he has to, really embrace, and improve his professionalism, his consistency, his approach every single day. He has to get better with that. It’s learning how to become a pro.”
The message is clear: talent alone won’t cut it. Despite Ware earning 2024 All-Rookie Second Team honors at just 21 years old, Spoelstra expects more from his young center.
“The talent is there,” Spoelstra added. “The professionalism and consistency has to improve, and it is, you know, our standards are not going to change and our expectations of how fast we want that to improve for him are not going to change. But he’s got to get better at it. He has to take ownership of it.”
However, Spoelstra isn’t just demanding change without providing support. He praised Ware’s physical development, noting how the young center is adding strength and weight to handle the rigors of playing in the paint. Additionally, Ware works daily with assistant coach Malik Allen on both defensive positioning and offensive skills.
“We feel like, you know, also giving them the structure to grow and embrace becoming a pro, learning how to be a professional,” Spoelstra said. “You know, every single day, being early. Having a great energy and countenance every day. How you do anything is how you do everything.”
While acknowledging Ware’s progress, Spoelstra made it clear the former Indiana standout hasn’t reached the level Miami expects. The good news? Ware has veteran leaders like Adebayo and Tyler Herro to help guide his development.
On the court, Ware proved he belongs during his rookie campaign. He showed solid rim protection and rebounding instincts while displaying offensive versatility as a lob threat. The area needing work? His three-point shooting dipped compared to his college numbers at Indiana. Along with building stamina and size, improving that outside shot will be crucial for his continued growth.
