At least for one NBA scout, the Miami Heat got a player in June’s NBA draft that many teams will regret not selecting.
The 2023-24 NBA season has been a strange one for the Heat. After a run to the NBA Finals the previous season, injuries to key players severely hampered the team for most of the season. Even when they reached the playoffs, star Jimmy Butler was compromised and they were quickly ousted from the playoffs.
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Aside from some early offseason drama regarding Butler wanting an extension, things have been pretty quiet for the Heat this summer. That’s the result of a team with no room under the salary cap and no notable trade assets. However, the June draft was a chance for the organization to upgrade the roster without giving up assets or money.
With the 15th overall pick, the Miami Heat selected Indiana big man Kel’el Ware. The pick didn’t garner much attention as this year’s class was considered one of the weakest in years. However, a Western Conference scout recently praised Ware after his performance in Summer League.
NBA scout raves about Miami Heat rookie Kel’el Ware
“They got a good deal on Ware. Everybody questioned his motor at Oregon. Nobody questioned his talent. And people are going to be disappointed they didn’t take him,” the scout told The Miami Herald“His blocking was off the charts in Summer League. He was going up and down the court. He was always considered a talented offensive player, but he did it with more consistency than people expected.
“He really shined. That’s going to give Bam [Adebayo] the ability to not be five [center] full time.”
In just under 27 minutes per game this summer, Ware averaged 18 points, just over eight rebounds and a block and a half in six games.
