As the Miami Heat gear up for the 2024-25 NBA season, one of the key questions on fans’ minds is how head coach Erik Spoelstra will handle the rotation, particularly when it comes to the role of rookie Kel’el Ware.

The Heat’s recent history of prioritizing experience and readiness in a “win-now” environment suggests that Ware might face an uphill battle in securing significant playing time over veteran forward Kevin Love.

According to Ira Winderman, a seasoned observer of the Heat, Spoelstra is likely to lean on the more experienced Love as the team’s backup big man as the season begins.

Winderman’s reasoning is rooted in the Heat’s approach to the previous season, where they struggled to recover from an inconsistent start. With that lesson in mind, Spoelstra may opt for a rotation that prioritizes immediate impact and reliability.

Winderman wrote, “The Heat essentially spent last season attempting to recover from their uneven start. So I would think Erik Spoelstra would go early with his best, win-now rotation. And Kevin Love did not return to play an emeritus role. He re-signed to play. When he wasn’t playing in Cleveland, he requested a buyout. I doubt his attitude has changed in the interim.”

The Heat’s philosophy of easing rookies into the lineup, rather than thrusting them into starting roles, is well-documented. Tyler Herro, despite being a No. 13 pick, spent the majority of his rookie season coming off the bench.

Similarly, Bam Adebayo, a No. 14 pick, played most of his first season as a reserve. Winderman suggests that the best path for Ware to secure a spot in the rotation would be to demonstrate his ability to play alongside Adebayo, the Heat’s cornerstone player.

“But it would seem the best way for Kel’el Ware to be a rotation reserve would be to show he could play alongside Bam. When that becomes an option, then anything and everything becomes possible,” Winderman added.

Ware, selected with the first non-lottery pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, enters the league with promise, particularly after an impressive performance in the Las Vegas Summer League.

He averaged 18.0 points on 61.8 percent shooting, along with 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game over six contests, showcasing his potential as a two-way player. Ware himself is confident in his ability to complement Adebayo, stating:

“Me and Bam can definitely play beside each other because we complement each other so well. His position is really the four, and so me coming in as the five man, I can protect the paint and just being able to do what I always do.”

However, the presence of Kevin Love, with 16 NBA seasons and a wealth of experience, cannot be overlooked. Love has played various roles throughout his career, from being a franchise player with the Minnesota Timberwolves to winning a championship with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

More recently, Love was a key part of the Heat’s rotation during the 2023-24 season, appearing in 55 games and averaging 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

Love’s deep understanding of the game, combined with his ability to contribute in multiple facets, makes him a valuable asset for a team with championship aspirations.

While Ware’s potential is undeniable, Spoelstra’s decision to prioritize experience, especially at the start of the season, suggests that the rookie may have to bide his time before fully establishing himself in the Heat’s rotation.

As the season progresses, however, Ware’s development and ability to gel with Adebayo could see him earn more minutes, potentially altering the dynamic of Miami’s frontcourt.