(Photo via Imagn Images)
Entering the 2025-26 season, the biggest lineup question mark has been who will earn the starting nod alongside Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt.
As Miami Heat preseason is officially underway, the competition is between Nikola Jovic and Kel’el Ware to round out that first unit. Tyler Herro’s absence made the opportunity to insert Jovic’s playmaking more of a reality, although Ware finished last season manning down a starting role in the center position.
It’s a good problem to have for coach Erik Spoelstra, as it showcases the roster’s depth to have lineup options like this.
However, each of Jovic and Ware have had different mentalities in their approach to earn a starting role. Jovic has expressed much more of a hunger to earn it, as Ware has taken more of a conservative approach— mentioning that he is willing to play in whatever role Spoelstra asks of him.
Nikola Jovic has been impressive early in the preseason as a starter.
Despite Monday night’s preseason loss, where the Heat have now fallen to 0-2 in these exhibitions thus far, Jovic put together an impactful all-around game.
He finished with 9 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in 23 minutes played. He also had a 10-point outing in just 12 minutes in Miami’s preseason loss to the Orlando Magic. In both outings, Jovic has looked like an improved offensive force, whether it’s been creating for himself or others.
There’s no question that Jovic has the crafty skill set to be a true X-factor to the Heat’s offense this season. And his recent contract extension has only shown Miami’s commitment in his development even more.
As for Ware, he came off the bench as the backup to Adebayo in both preseason games. On Monday, he put up an impressive outing of his own— totaling an efficient 18 points and 13 rebounds double-double in 23 minutes.
No matter who ultimately emerges as the regular season opening night starter, both players are expected to be a big part of Spoelstra’s rotation. Miami even has the luxury to go either big or small with Jovic or Ware lineups on a nightly matchup basis.
Who do you think should get the starting nod? Let us know in the comments below!
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Ware is turning out to be a more go with the flow kind of persona. Maybe it’s just him and he will grow into his role as he matures. Or maybe he isn’t aggressive enough to realize his potential. I guess I am saying, it’s a given that he becomes Derrick Lively, which is useful, but can he surpass that level.
This.
https://heatnation.com/team-news/erik-spoelstra-challenges-kelel-ware-to-impact-the-game-be-more-consistent/
18 points, 13 rebounds/ 1 steal in 23 minutes seems like an impact, wouldn’t you say?
Ware and Jovic play different positions. Jovic should be going head-to-head with Wiggins for SF starter job. If he can do better than 19ppg, 45.8% fg, 36% 3 point, 4,2 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.2 spg and be healthy more than 46 games in a season, maybe he can be considered for it. Otherwise, I’m perfectly happy seeing him coming off the bench until/unless a contract extension decision is made about Wiggins.
I would sure hate to lose Wiggins. I think he is paid well, but also reasonably fairly, in this astronomical salary environment. He is our third best player without a doubt and we would not be able to replace him easily and anyone who could replace him is not in the organization currently.
Wiggins is a great glue guy at a reasonable salary. Not flashy or demonstrative, just does his job.
No, I wouldn’t, and Spo agrees with me. 3 impactful minutes in that game Spo mentioned, is about right. The rest was walk in the park for ware. Empty calories.
I think the question is now that the Heat has committed to Niko, where do they see him fitting in long-term as a starter? Will he ever slide to the 3 and play alongside Bam and Ware? Or is this an either-or situation for him or Ware playing next to Bam in the starting lineup?
Ware has a higher ceiling than Jovic. You don’t stunt Ware’s growth in order to accommodate Jovic’s desire to be a starter. If he plays PF next to Bam that is a lose/lose situation. He doesn’t rebound or play adequate defense to be a legit PF and Bam wants to play PF not C. Seems like Jovic is the odd man out, until/unless he can beat out Wiggins for the starting SF spot.
Strongly disagree. Not because of individual quality, because of the game.
For modern NBA, players like Jovic are far more valuable then the players as Ware.
The only centers in NBA, which are focal points of their teams, are Jokic, Wemby, Embiid, Sengun, Davis. And those are basically other position players, packed in the centers bodies.
All other centers in the league are basically place fillers or complementary players.
This is the guards or wings league. Jovic has a lot more chance to become a focal player in his team then Ware.
Maybe. But he’s going to need to match Wiggins’ scoring and defense and Ware’s rebounding to get there. BTW, you left off several other top NBA centers.
I don’t know why you keep comparing Jovic to Ware. Is he your idea of Miami’s knew age center since PF is already taken by Bam. Are you willing to have an unhappy Bam play center in order to satisfy Jovic’s dream of being a starter? If that’s the case, maybe that will lead to another disgruntled player like we had last year. If you want to add a little more drama to that, wouldn’t it be great to have two disgruntled players (Herro and Bam) demanding to be traded? Did you learn nothing from last year’s disruption and chaos caused by the drama queen/quitter?
Niko is my guy, and I wanted the team to draft Ware, so win-win. lol
For real, I do like Niko starting with Ware still learning and earning his way on this team.
Ware is a legit NBA center and a future cornerstone of Miami’s future. The more he plays, the better he will get. Jovic might be a better playmaker and possibly develop into a better scorer, however, he will never be as good a rebounder or defensive player as Ware. Plus, again, they play different positions. Ware is a C and Jovic is a natural SF/point forward… or did I miss something.
If you want to compare Jovic head-to-head for a starting position, compare him vs Wiggins at SF or Bam at PF.
No doubt Jovic is much better fit for what Heat are trying to do, fast pace.
I cant get Ware. He should be kicked out of the floor in the beginning of the 4th because of lack of effort. . After timeout played like an all star.
Miami needs to go with their best defensive and clutch players to close out games. From what I see, the team’s best defenders are: Bam, Wiggins, Powell, Mitchell, Smith, Larsson, Jaquez, Johnson and Ware.
Sun Man is on point. But, I say let it all play out. Both players are going to have to raise their game to reach their potential and especially if they want to start. Both will have a fair chance. There is one difference, Ware is already Derrick Lively, a decent rotation player who has a role no matter what. We paid Jovic so he has a long leash now, and will get every chance. But, his ceiling may be as a starter, or may be well down the rotation as he does not possess that one outstanding skill of instant rim protection that Ware gives.
PF is the position Bam is best suited for and wants to play. Ware is the only legitimate C on the team. Until/unless Jovic is able to beat out Wiggins for starting SF, he is best suited as a rotation player backing up Wiggins and Bam. He’s got the next 5 years to establish himself as a starter, but he’ll need to earn it first.
I believe, thats already decided, that Jovic will start at PF with Bam at center. Its because new game plan, fast pace.
Till Herros return, there will be Wiggins, Powel and Mitchell in starting lineup. That a reasonable good starting lineup, with enough defence and hopefully enough offense to be succesful.
Ware will probably be Bams replacement, but later in the game we should see a lot of Ware/Bam lineup.
I agree, looks like Jovic will start at first. And that is where Nico will truly get his chance to sink or swim. And, we should all give him twenty games to acclimate, get used to the heavy responsibility of being a starter. But, after that, if he hasn’t raised his game enough and he is more of a debit as opposed to an asset, then he will be turned into a rotation player who gets paid pretty well. His career is really at a crossroads now.
Agree.
I don’t know where you get your inside information from but Miami’s starting lineup for the 2025-2026 season is still being worked out. Spo is currently experimenting with different rotations during the preseason. Jovic and Ware are both guaranteed to be part of the rotation, nothing more.
One thing is for sure, Spo is trying to light a fire under Ware’s ass to get him to play hard 100% of the time. If he is successful in that endeavor, I can see Ware starting. If not, Ware will probably come off the bench.