Heat pick up 2026-27 team options for Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The Miami Heat have exercised both 2026-27 team options for second-year center Kel’el Ware and third-year wing Jaime Jaquez Jr., Spotrac’s Keith Smith first reported Tuesday.

The Heat had until Oct. 31 to pick up those options.

Since he was the No. 18 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Jaquez’s fourth-year option will be worth $5.9 million; Ware’s third-year option will be worth $4.7 million.

With both options exercised, the Heat officially have nine players on roster for the 2026-27 season. Jaquez Jr. will be eligible for an extension next summer while Ware’s extension eligibility won’t occur until the summer of 2027.

Ware showed legitimate flashes as a rookie, averaging 9.3 points and 7.3 rebounds across 22.2 minutes per game. He entered the starting lineup in early January and didn’t relinquish his role — despite some inconsistent play down the stretch of the season.

Jaquez, however, is looking to bounce back after a very underwhelming 2024-25 season. The 24-year-old averaged just 8.6 points on 54.3 percent true shooting, over three percentage points from his rookie season mark. He struggled shooting from beyond the arc once again — while looking far less athletic and more predictable around the rim.

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