In the short term, the Miami Heat are managing without Jimmy Butler, who is serving a seven-game suspension handed down by the team.
Unless there’s an unexpected change of course, Butler is expected to depart Miami, either before the trade deadline or during the summer, as the franchise focuses on rebuilding for the future.
While coach Erik Spoelstra respects Butler, his attention is firmly on the players he has at his disposal, including rookie Kel’el Ware.
Kel’el Ware Impresses in Heat’s Loss
The Miami Heat suffered a 109-98 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite leading after the first quarter and matching the Clippers in the fourth, the game slipped away in the third, when LA went on a 36-20 run.
One bright spot was Kel’el Ware, the Heat’s 15th overall pick in the NBA Draft.
The Heat faced criticism for selecting Ware, with the 76ers choosing Jared McCain right after, and the Lakers selecting Dalton Knecht at 17.
However, Ware is showing promise, posting 19 points and 13 rebounds in the loss—his second-highest scoring game in the NBA, following a 25-point performance against the Pacers earlier in January. Additionally, his 13 rebounds were a career high, nearly doubling his previous best of seven.
Erik Spoelstra Talks About Kel’el Ware
After the game, Erik Spoelstra praised Ware, noting that he could have grabbed even more rebounds, which led the team that night.
Spoelstra emphasized the continuous progress he’s seeing from the 20-year-old, stating: “The 13 rebounds, he could have had more. He changed shots under the rim. We want him to elevate, deflect… He’s making progress. It seems to be every day that he’s learning something new.”
As Kel’el Ware continues to develop and adjust to life in the NBA, he is proving why the Heat were excited to draft him. If he continues on this trajectory, he could help soften the blow of Butler’s eventual departure, making it easier for the franchise to look to the future.