Ira Winderman: Ware as Heat sticking point? Not if it’s for Giannis
MIAMI — By now, the rumors have become a way of life for many on the Miami Heat roster, no player more so than Tyler “We’ll Only Trade You for a Hall of Famer” Herro. But now, firmly in second place in that race has become Kel’el Ware, having already been a talking point just over a year ago for Kevin Durant and now a name that could push a potential Heat trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo across the finish line. For most of Ware’s two seasons with the Heat he has been more of an abstract than a defined reality, cast largely as a supporting player, one yet to earn complete trust of the coaching staff.
Perhaps the best example of that is how much Ware has been utilized in zone defense, an approach that some might contend is hiding the 2024 first-round pick from the direct challenges of his position. After the All-Star break this past season, Ware defensively was utilized in zone on 37. 2% of his non-transition defensive possessions, an eye-catching number.
So Ware as defensive anchor? To this point, largely still an unknown. Which raises the question of what potential value the Heat would be surrendering if the 7-footer was sent out in a trade at this still nascent stage of his career.
To that end, the Sun Sentinel reached out to a long-time NBA scout whose job for decades has been evaluating such talent. As a means of drawing comparisons, the question was posited as, “In terms of player comps, where do you think Kel’el Ware’s ultimate upside will stand in the prime of his career? ” Understand, the question was not about this moment, with Ware just having turned 22 in April and yet to be cast in anything close to a leading role.
“The commonality,” the scout said, “is range plus interior presence. ” The comps then offered were Myles Turner, Brook Lopez and what the scout termed “a poor man’s Kristaps Porzingis. ” But he also didn’t leave it there.
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