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This year, Kel'el Ware is walking around Las Vegas during summer league in Milwaukee Bucks gear after the Heat included him as part of a trade package to acquire two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and veteran forward Bobby Portis this offseason. “I mean, I kind of figured [the trade] was going to happen,” Ware said to two South Florida newspapers, including the Miami Herald, on Friday while watching the Bucks and Heat face off in a Las Vegas Summer League game. “So I was just preparing myself. It was everywhere. Speaking with my agents and things like that, you kind of get the gist of what’s going to happen.”
Now, Ware can continue his growth alongside three former Heat teammates in Milwaukee. The Heat traded guard Tyler Herro, forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. and guard Kasparas Jakucionis along with Ware to the Bucks. “That helps out a lot more,” Ware said of being traded to the Bucks with Herro, Jaquez and Jakucionis. “Some guys, they get traded by themselves. So I would say it helps to have three guys with me.”
Instead of dealing Jovic in the Antetokounmpo deal, the Heat traded guard Tyler Herro, forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., guard Kasparas Jakucionis, center Kel’el Ware and a haul of draft capital to the Milwaukee Bucks to acquire Antetokounmpo and veteran forward Bobby Portis. “I was happy that I stayed,” Jovic said after going through a workout on Wednesday in Las Vegas, where the Heat and the rest of the NBA are spending the next few weeks for summer league. “I thought I was probably not going to be here. But I’m really happy. Obviously, not only because I’m going to share the court and play with [Antetokounmpo], but I’m also happy that I’m going to be able to learn from one of the greatest power forwards ever. The way he lives, the way he treats basketball, and stuff like that. “
Ira Windhorst: Bucks GM Jon Horst, "We're excited to welcome Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez and Kasparas Jakucionis to Bucks basketball. Each brings talent, versatility, competitiveness and a team-first mentality that builds our culture and identity."
Your Miami HEAT announced today that they have acquired NBA Champion, Two-Time NBA MVP and 10-time NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and NBA Champion Bobby Portis Jr. from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakučionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, three first round picks (2026, 2031 & 2033), a 2030 first round pick swap and a 2033 second round pick. “The announcement of today’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. is one of the great trades in HEAT history,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “In my opinion, Giannis is one of the top five players in the league and Bobby is one of the best power forwards. The difficult part is trading Tyler, Kasparas, Jaime and Kel’el who have given so much to this organization, we wish them nothing but the best. I also want to thank the Arison’s for their continued pursuit towards winning a championship and we feel this gives us a better opportunity moving forward. I want to welcome Giannis and Bobby to the Miami HEAT family.”
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Before Herro joined Milwaukee in the Antetokounmpo trade and the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a four-year, $185 million max deal with Austin Reaves, the Lakers had trade discussions surrounding Herro and Kel’el Ware, which would’ve involved multiple first-round draft picks, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, the Brooklyn Nets also did due diligence and gauged the price tag for Herro, HoopsHype has learned.
Jake Fischer: I do believe Milwaukee has tried to package Nos. 10 and 13 to move up in tonight's first round, but I don't believe there's going to be any trades in the top-10. Sources say the Bucks, at this point, plan to keep Kel'el Ware, despite interest from rival teams like the Lakers. Milwaukee coveted Ware and Kasparas Jakučionis in their recent drafts. The Bucks also value Tyler Herro, sources say, and don't necessarily plan to move him, while Milwaukee will field offers for the All-Star scorer.
Elsewhere, within league circles, there was palpable chatter about the Pistons hoping to get involved in the Antetokounmpo trade to land Tyler Herro, while dangling assets such as Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland, Duncan Robinson, and draft compensation, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, the Los Angeles Lakers were linked with trade interest in Kel’el Ware over the past couple of days, sources said.
Bobby Marks: I'm still in the belief it's Miami because when you look at Giannis Antetokounmpo, it's the superstar checklist of three things that Miami has here: It's the win-now player. When you look at a player like Tyler Herro, remember you've got to get to $47-48 million in salary just to send out. Herro makes $33 million as an expiring contract. Then you look at young players like Kel'el Ware Ware and Jaime Jaquez, two players on rookie deals. And then it's the draft picks. Remember, Milwaukeee's got the 10th pick in the draft. Miami's got the 13th pick in the draft. They can send two future picks in 30 and 32. They've got some swap rights here. So, I do think Miami's got right now the best package out there, but we've got to get some clarity here.
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Heat Central: Kenyon Martin believes Giannis would be a better fit with Kel’el Ware, over Bam: “Miami, do you do him and Bam together? I don’t know. I would like to see him and Kel’el Ware more than him and Bam. I think Kel’el shoots the ball from the perimeter… He spreads the floor in that regard. The new 5 of the NBA. Giannis plays downhill. I like his athleticism. I like that defensively for them…. It’s on Pat to do his job if that is his situation down there.” (Via @GilsArenaShow) 🧐
The Heat were aggressive in trying to land Giannis Antetokounmpo at the February trade deadline, when league sources say they thought a deal would get done before the Bucks ultimately backed away. This time around, with league sources indicating that the package is likely to include Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., either Pelle Larsson or Kasparas Jakučionis and draft capital (they can offer up to three first round picks), Miami is still widely seen as the frontrunner in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
It is widely presumed that the offer firmly on the table for Milwaukee calls for Miami to package Herro, Ware and Jacquez Jr. with prime draft capital to the Bucks to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo. Yet there have undeniably been rumbles throughout the week that Boston, at the very least, has to be monitored here.
