Why Bam Adebayo, Erik Spoelstra Believe Kel’el Ware Can ‘Move Need’ Despite Inconsistent Role

After a frustrating few outings for Miami Heat star Kel’el Warethere could be concerns among certain fans about his playing time if his inconsistent play continues. With a new heat offense is in effect, Bam Adebayo and Erik Spoelstra give an insight into Var and where he is currently.

Ware is in the midst of his second NBA season after an impressive rookie year, where he started much of the second half of the 2024-25 campaign. He has also started every regular season game thus far, though Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, where Miami lost 120-110. left a lot to be desired.

After going scoreless and recording -20 on the court against the San Antonio Spurs, he would be ejected after the first six minutes and miss the rest of the first half of Sunday’s game against the Lakers. In addition to two buckets from Ware, he was responsible for opposing center Jackson Hayes, who had nine points, and one of the baskets was a put back as the Miami center was -10 on the floor.

The 22-year-old didn’t return until the second half and played a total of 12 minutes, showing that Vare is still developing as a young player. This led to Adebayo, who has been Ware’s mentor, saying that apart from not giving up on him, the big man has a chance to “move the needle,” according to The Miami Herald.

“We will not give up on him,” Adebayo said. “We know how great he can be. He moves the needle for this team.”

Heat’s Bam Adebayo on being a mentor to Kel’el Ware

While the Heat have improved their offense has been a treat to watch for fans, they also want to see the continued growth of Ware, who has excelled in many games since being drafted. However, there will be “growing pains” for any young player, as described by Adebayo, who spoke about Miami’s balance of teammate and leader and gives insight into Ware’s confidence.

“I go to him as a brother. I don’t go to him as a captain, I’m a mentor,” Adebayo said. “So it’s growing pains when it comes to this NBA thing. You get on and you blink, and that’s, for me, about nine years. And you’re going to have some growing pains along the way. It’s just, how do you grow from those lessons? This is a lesson for him.”

“I feel like he’s one of those guys that’s very level-headed,” Adebayo continued. “So it’s hard to judge whether he’s down or not, which I really respect. Because it’s good not to know, because you also have to add professionalism to our league. But when I talked to him, I don’t feel like he’s discouraged. Those are just lessons he has to learn.”

The Heat benched Erik Spoelstra for Kel’el Ware

As Jaime Jaquez Jr. was a huge boost for the Heat to start this season, head coach Erik Spoelstra would use him for most of the loss to the Lakers, as he scored a game-high 31 points. Ware, on the other hand, was benched for most of the game, which Spoelstra downplayed, saying it was “very nuanced,” while acknowledging his later minutes were better.

“We were just trying to get a handle on it,” Spoelstra said. “It’s very nuanced. When you have two dynamic pick-and-roll players (Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves) like they had.”

“I thought he came back in the third quarter and gave us quality minutes,” Spoelstra continued.

As Ware continues to work on every side of the ball, there’s no question the team sees him as a foundation for the team’s future. Even Ware would admit that, after the Lakers loss, his layups were part of a “learning process” when asked about his defense.

“It’s only my sophomore year,” Ware said. “So it’s still a learning process with that, and just getting down.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s frustrating,” Ware continued. “I feel like you have to trust the coach and the decisions he makes. And then you have to go out there and be ready when your name is called.”

Either way, Ware will try to bounce back from his back-to-back rough outings, starting with Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.