A promising Miami Heat player is drawing trade interest from other teams.
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported Friday that Kel'el Ware is someone NBA teams are monitoring ahead of February's trade deadline.
"Kel'el Ware has drawn interest from around the league due to his double-double production at just 21 years old and the 7-footer’s ability to stretch the floor efficiently at 41.9 percent beyond the arc," Scotto said.
Ware's situation with the Heat has been tenuous. He was benched for the second half of Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra called out Ware after the game, stating he was "stacking days in the wrong direction."
Ware is in his second season in Miami after being drafted No. 15 overall by the team in 2024. He has played in every game for the Heat this season, averaging 11.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per night.
More: Heat have 'legit interest in Grizzlies' Ja Morant
Scotto believes the Heat may keep Ware in case star Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available.
"Miami and other teams around the league are monitoring the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Heat could try to hold onto Ware in a potentially bigger trade package for the Greek superstar," he said.
The Heat have long been rumored as a potential destination for Antetokounmpo. Scotto said other NBA executives believe a Giannis-to-Miami deal is the Heat's "dream scenario."
"Rival NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype believe the Heat’s dream scenario is acquiring Antetokounmpo if he becomes available over the summer, when they have more draft capital to include in a trade offer."
More NBA news:
- Hornets' Miles Bridges drawing trade interest from Bucks
- Jonathan Kuminga would 'welcome' trade to Heat
- Lakers receive rough update on pair of coveted trade targets
- Rich Paul makes surprising comments about LeBron James' All-Star case
- Lakers reportedly looking to trade two veterans
- NBA analyst says Kuminga would 'make sense' for Lakers