Latest news with #Kel'elWare
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Massive 3-Team Trade Idea: Supertalented Center And Proven Wing To Lakers; Ja Morant To Heat
The 2024–25 NBA season has been a rollercoaster for several franchises, and as the offseason approaches, we expect bold moves to happen. The Los Angeles Lakers, despite a strong 50-32 regular-season record and a blockbuster midseason acquisition of Luka Doncic, faced a disappointing first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat, finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 37-45 record, are seeking a resurgence after a lackluster season that saw them move on from franchise star Jimmy Butler. Advertisement In this context, a massive three-team trade proposal emerges: the Lakers acquire a supertalented center and a proven wing to bolster their roster, while the Heat bring in dynamic point guard Ja Morant to rejuvenate their backcourt. Morant, who averaged 23.2 points and 7.3 assists over 50 games this season, could provide the spark Miami desperately needs. The Memphis Grizzlies won't want to move on from their core superstar player in a perfect situation, but Morant's future has been up in the air following multiple seasons of inconsistency, and it might be time for all parties to move on. Proposed Trade Details Los Angeles Lakers: Andrew Wiggins, Kel'el Ware Miami Heat Receive: Ja Morant Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith (Sign-and-Trade), 2025 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2031 First-Round Pick (MIA) This potential trade could redefine the trajectories of all franchises as they each aim to return to playoff contention in the near future. Let's go through what this trade could do for each team involved. Lakers Add Two Strong Pieces Around Luka And LeBron Apr 20, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) brings the ball up court in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images By parting with Austin Reaves and Dorian Finney-Smith (in a sign-and-trade), two players who we predicted could leave the team this summer, the Lakers can make a strategic move to enhance their championship aspirations. Reaves was the third option this season, but if the player rejects the expected offer from the Lakers to seek at least $200 million, he could be traded this summer. Advertisement Following a disappointing first-round playoff exit despite a 50–32 regular-season record, the Lakers are poised to retool their roster around stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Acquiring Andrew Wiggins and Kel'el Ware addresses critical needs. Wiggins, who averaged 18.0 points per game with a 44.8% field goal percentage during the 2024–25 season, brings versatile defense and scoring ability to the wing position. His experience and athleticism complement Doncic's playmaking and James's leadership, especially when considering he had Finals MVP-worthy performances in the 2022 NBA Finals. Kel'el Ware, a promising 21-year-old center, adds youth and athleticism to the Lakers' frontcourt. In his rookie season, Ware posted 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, shooting an efficient 55.4% from the field. His presence addresses the Lakers' need for a dynamic big man who can protect the rim and finish around the basket. No doubt, he would be an immediate upgrade over who the Lakers had competing at center this past season: Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len. Advertisement This trade allows the Lakers to balance their roster by adding a seasoned wing and an emerging center, providing Doncic and James with the support needed to contend in the competitive Western Conference. Heat Create Another Big Three To Contend In The East Apr 1, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn ImagesMandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images The Miami Heat, after a 37–45 season and missing the playoffs, are seeking a resurgence. Acquiring Ja Morant offers the opportunity to form a new Big Three alongside Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. One of the key targets for the Miami Heat, as seen in our previous article, Morant averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game during the 2024–25 season. The superstar showcased his dynamic playmaking and scoring abilities, despite only playing 50 games and dealing with more controversy. Advertisement His explosive athleticism and leadership can revitalize the Heat's offense and bring excitement back to Miami, and he could be the immediate superstar replacement for Jimmy Butler. While Morant's tenure in Memphis included some off-court issues, a change of scenery and the Heat's strong organizational culture could provide the structure he needs to thrive. Miami's history of maximizing player potential under head coach Erik Spoelstra bodes well for Morant's integration. His addition positions the Heat to re-enter the Eastern Conference playoff picture and potentially contend for a title. Grizzlies Kickstart Their Retool Around Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Target Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images The Memphis Grizzlies, facing early playoff exits and internal challenges over the past few seasons, are poised to retool their roster around Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. Trading Ja Morant for Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith (via sign-and-trade), and two first-round picks from Miami provides a fresh start. Advertisement Reaves, who averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game in the 2024–25 season, brings versatility and scoring to the backcourt. His ability to play both guard positions complements Bane's sharpshooting and Jackson's interior presence. Finney-Smith adds defensive prowess and three-point shooting to the Grizzlies' wing rotation. In the 2024–25 season, he averaged 8.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and shot 41.1% from beyond the arc. His experience and versatility make him a valuable addition to Memphis's young core. The inclusion of future first-round picks provides the Grizzlies with additional assets to continue building for the future. This trade allows Memphis to move forward with a redefined identity, focusing on a cohesive and balanced roster. By acquiring players who fit their system and culture, the Grizzlies set the stage for sustained success in the Western Conference, even without head coach Taylor Jenkins, who was surprisingly fired at the end of the season. Related: Lakers Unlikely To Re-Sign Two Players In 2025 Free Agency
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kel'el Ware's Perfect Night Pushes The Heat to the Playoffs
Miami Heat rookie center Kel'el Ware has turned more heads in the 2024-25 campaign than anyone could have expected entering the season. After being selected 15th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Ware catapulted into Miami's rotation as perhaps one of the brightest young stars on the team. That potential and promise was on full display in the Heat's Friday night victory over the Atlanta Hawks to punch their ticket to the playoffs. Miami came away with a stunning 123-114 overtime victory in the Play-In Tournament No. 8 seed game - thanks in part to a flawless night from the field for its young big man. Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (7)Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Ware finished the evening with 12 points on a perfect 6-of-6 clip from the field, as well as eight rebounds to round out his impressive showing. Between Ware's impressive performance in the frontcourt and an all-around offensive outburst that saw six players hit double-figures scoring, Miami had just enough gas in the tank to pull off the upset in Atlanta. Advertisement In his first season in the pros, Ware has averaged 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game - all in just under 23 minutes per contest as well. The 20-year-old center out of Indiana has provided a consistent bright spot in what's been an otherwise roller coaster of a season for the Heat. Miami will now face off against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Game one is set to tip off on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. ET. Related: Miami Heat Rookie Kel'el Ware Makes NBA History
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kel'el Ware Joins Heat Legends In Huge NBA Achievement
The Miami Heat have always prided themselves on creating a culture that raises players from the ground up. So, it comes as no surprise that Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra have done wonders in uplifting the skills of their players immediately after getting selected in the NBA Draft. Kel'el Ware was the latest testament to this. Kel'el Ware has been named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. The Heat rookie shared this honor alongside Chicago Bulls' Matas Buzelis, New Orleans Pelicans' Yves Missi, Washington Wizards' Bub Carrington, and Portland Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan. Advertisement He garnered 138 points in the voting process, which were 13 short of possibly beating out Alex Sarr for the last spot in the NBA All-Rookie First-Team. Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (7)Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Despite this, Ware still made history. He became the eighth player in franchise history to be given this honor, per Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. The Heat rookie joins greats like Justice Winslow, Mario Chalmers, Glen Rice, Tyler Herro, Kevin Edwards, Willie Burton, and Udonis Haslem in this pantheon. He is also set up for a great trajectory in his career. Herro, the last player from the Heat system who ended up in the NBA All-Rookie Second-Team, recently just became an NBA All-Star and will be the cornerstone of Pat Riley's rebuild. Advertisement There are still so many things in store for Ware in his years with the Heat. His chemistry alongside Bam Adebayo will still grow, and Coach Erik Spoelstra will surely help him develop his veteran acumen in the coming years. There's no use in moping over the lack of those 13 votes. Related: Kel'el Ware Gets Massive Praise From Erik Spoelstra
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Miami Herald
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
How will Heat rookie Kel'el Ware respond after rough playoff debut? ‘We need him big time'
Miami Heat rookie center Kel'el Ware has surpassed expectations this season, stepping into a starting role and recording the most double-doubles among NBA rookies in his first regular season. But Sunday served as a reminder of Ware's youth. Not only did Ware turn 21 on Sunday, but he also was limited to just two points and three rebounds in 20 minutes in the Heat's 121-100 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Game 1 of their best-of-7 first-round playoff series. Ware, who started in his first playoff game, also tallied two assists and two blocks while posting a plus/minus of minus 12 in his playoff debut. 'I don't know what happened,' said Ware, who played just one minute in the fourth quarter of Game 1. 'The ball was moving, it was finding everybody. I was just playing through the flow of the game.' Ware was especially quiet in Sunday's first half, going without a point or rebound while playing 12:30 in the first two quarters. The 7-footer grabbed his first rebound of the night with 10:10 left in the third quarter and scored his first and only points of the night on a tip-in dunk with 7:08 remaining in the third quarter. That's not normal for Ware, who averaged 10.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game during his final 38 regular-season appearances this season after becoming a full-time Heat starter in January. Ware also struggled to defend the Cavaliers' lethal pick-and-rolls at times, as the Heat allowed 150 points per 100 possessions in the 20 minutes that Ware played on Sunday compared to 126.4 points per 100 possessions in the 28 minutes that Ware spent on the bench in the contest. 'I think, obviously, Kel'el being in that environment, going through his very first playoff game, it probably surprised him a little bit,' Heat guard Tyler Herro said. 'But he'll be better and he'll continue to improve and figure out what works in each series. Obviously, we need him big time if we're going to compete in this series.' The Heat hopes Ware learns from his first playoff experience and is better in Game 2 on Wednesday in Cleveland (7:30 p.m., NBA TV and FanDuel Sports Network Sun). History says going down 2-0 in the series could be fatal for the Heat, as it has rallied to win a best-of-7 playoff series after dropping the first two games just once in franchise history and that came in the 2006 NBA Finals. The Heat needs Ware to be a net-positive in a series against a Cavaliers team that starts a double-big lineup featuring the 6-foot-9 Jarrett Allen and the 6-foot-11 Evan Mobley. 'He has to go through it,' Heat captain Bam Adebayo said of his rookie frontcourt partner. 'He's young, but the thing about it is we know he'll bounce back. He's one of those rookies who retains a lot of information very well and we need him. So from that standpoint, understanding we get two days to lock in and he gets to refocus and he's already got that first game out of the way. Now we go into this game Wednesday with a different mindset.' Ware is in a unique position, as he's just the third Heat rookie who has started a playoff game at age 21 or younger. The others are Justise Winslow and Herro. 'Just getting this game under my belt, seeing what the physicality is actually like and change it for the second game,' Ware said after his rough playoff debut. Ware, who was selected by the Heat with the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has been through a lot this season. He logged double-digit minutes in just two of the Heat's first 25 games this season before earning consistent minutes and then being promoted to a starting role in January. Now, Ware is facing a different challenge in his first playoff series. Whether he overcomes this rookie hurdle could help determine whether the Eastern Conference's eighth-seeded Heat makes this a competitive first-round series against the East's top-seeded Cavaliers. That's a lot of pressure, but that's the type of pressure that comes with being a rookie starting in the NBA playoffs. 'This is the life of a young player,' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said when asked about Ware after Game 1. 'You're being fed through a fire hose and he's important to what we do. He'll get to work. That's the thing I really respect about Kel'el. And the areas that he's gotten a lot better, we're going to need in this series.'
Business Wire
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
The Boiling Crab® Teams Up with Miami Basketball Rookie Kel'el Ware to Celebrate a Double 21st Birthday Bash with Limited-Edition Combo
MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Boiling Crab®, the iconic Cajun seafood boil restaurant, is turning 21 and it's throwing a flavorful celebration in partnership with standout center, Kel'el Ware, who also celebrates his 21st birthday this April. 'I've been a fan of The Boiling Crab for a long time, and I'm excited to share this special combo with fans who love bold flavors as much as I do.'- Kel'el Ware. To mark the milestone, The Boiling Crab is releasing a limited-edition 'Kel'el Ware Bucket' available at participating locations starting today, April 21st, for one month. Kel'el's favorite comfort food inspires the special combo: a seafood boil packed with bold flavor, Louisiana flair, and all the fixings. 'Seafood boils have always been my comfort food, so teaming up with The Boiling Crab to celebrate both of our 21st milestones just made sense,' said Kel'el Ware. 'I've been a fan of The Boiling Crab for a long time, and I'm excited to share this special combo with fans who love bold flavors as much as I do.' The Kel'el Ware Bucket features a hand-picked selection of Ware's go-to seafood items tossed in The Boiling Crab's® signature original flavor, The Whole Sha-Bang®, and includes: 1 lb EZ Peel Shrimp 1 Snow Crab Cluster 6 Fried Chicken Wings 2 Corn on the Cobs 3 Potatoes ½ lb Sausage Sides like Cajun fries and corn complete the feast. Designed to be a communal, hands-on experience, the meal brings fans and food lovers together for a celebration of flavor, culture, and milestone moments. Each purchase of the Kel'el Ware Bucket also gives customers a chance to win an exclusive meet-and-greet with Kel'el Ware in person. 'Kel'el embodies the spirit of The Boiling Crab which is passion, bold flavor, and a deep sense of community,' said Dada Ngo, Co-founder of The Boiling Crab. 'This collaboration is more than a celebration of shared birthdays; it's a tribute to our roots, our growth, and the joy that comes from bringing people together over great food.' The Boiling Crab first opened its doors in 2004 in Garden Grove, California, and has since expanded to over 25 locations across the U.S. and internationally. Known for its laid-back vibe, signature seasoning, and finger-licking seafood boils, the brand continues to redefine the seafood dining experience one bag at a time. To find a location near you and try the Kel'el Ware Bucket this April, visit About The Boiling Crab® The Boiling Crab® is a family-owned restaurant brand bringing people together over authentic Louisiana-style Cajun seafood boils. With an extensive menu featuring fresh crawfish, shrimp, crab, and other shellfish, as well as fan favorites like fried catfish, gumbo, and Cajun fries, guests can enjoy a hands-on, flavor-packed dining experience. To complement the feast, we offer a variety of refreshing beverages, including sodas, beers, micheladas, and margaritas. Founded in 2004 in Garden Grove, CA, The Boiling Crab® has continued to expand both nationally and globally, bringing the joy of hands-on, communal seafood dining to new communities across the world. Known for our signature original sauce flavor, The Whole Sha-Bang®, we're excited to continue to grow and share our passion for bold flavors and unforgettable dining experiences. Explore our expanding list of locations at
