If the Heat Had to Deal One: Kel’el Ware or Nikola Jović?
As the Miami Heat look to reshape their roster this offseason, tough decisions loom. Among them, one hypothetical but increasingly relevant question stands out: if Miami had to deal either Kel’el Ware or Nikola Jović, who should they keep?
At first glance, the answer might seem simple. Jović has NBA experience, a growing role under Erik Spoelstra, and the trust of Miami’s staff. The 6-foot-10 Serbian forward is entering his third season and has shown flashes of playmaking, shooting touch, and positional versatility. In stretches during the 2023–24 season, he started alongside Bam Adebayo and provided floor spacing, ball movement, and defensive length. His feel for the game and upside as a combo forward make him an intriguing long-term piece.
On the other hand, Kel’el Ware is a new face—Miami’s 2024 first-round draft pick and a 7-foot center with tantalizing physical tools. Ware’s college tape at Indiana shows a modern big man with a smooth jumper, rim protection instincts, and rebounding upside. While raw, he offers a dimension the Heat have lacked: size and vertical spacing at the five. His ceiling, if realized, could be that of a Brook Lopez-type floor-spacing rim protector—a perfect complement to Adebayo’s skillset.
So who do you deal?
It depends on need, but the smarter long-term investment might be Jović. He’s already in the Heat’s developmental pipeline, understands the system, and fits seamlessly next to Adebayo in a switch-heavy defensive scheme. His ball skills and shooting continue to improve, and he has the size to defend multiple positions. He’s also just 21—still younger than many recent draft picks.
Ware, though promising, is more of an unknown. His success depends on development and buy-in, especially on the defensive end where he’s shown lapses. If a team covets a high-upside big and is willing to pay in trade value, Ware could bring back a meaningful return while allowing Miami to double down on a known commodity in Jović.
In a league where versatile forwards are at a premium and continuity matters, keeping Jović and dealing Ware—if forced to choose—might make the most sense. That said, if the right star becomes available and Ware is the chip that gets you there, the Heat won’t hesitate.
In the end, it’s not just about talent—it’s about fit, timing, and value. And right now, Jović offers a more reliable blend of all three.
