Inside The Heat

Miami Heat Fans Having Déjà Vu From Passing On Tyrese Maxey, Now Jared McCain

Anthony Pasciolla

Mar 31, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Jared McCain (0) reacts in the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the finals of the South Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at American Airline Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Jared McCain (0) reacts in the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the finals of the South Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at American Airline Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports / Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat fans understand the selection of Indiana center Kel'el Ware, but would rather have the big-name talent in Philadelphia 76ers' Jared McCain.

The situation is giving déjà vu to some from the 2020 NBA Draft, as the Heat selected forward Precious Achiuwa one pick before the Sixers drafted star Tyrese Maxey. Achiuwa spent a single season with the Heat while Maxey was named to his first All-Star Game with Philadelphia last season.

Ware is by no means a bad selection, but simply a bit of a reach at No. 15, with names like McCain and Dalton Knecht left on the board. Rumored Heat targets Devin Carter and Bub Carrington also went off the board right before their pick, meaning their options were limited.

He averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks on 58.6 percent shooting and 42.5 percent from three-point range in his sophomore season at Indiana. The Heat were in desperate need of a true backup big man for All-Star Bam Adebayo, who stands at just 6-foot-9. Ware is a massive upgrade in the size department at 7- feet, 240 pounds, with strong athletic tools on both ends of the floor. He had 15 double-doubles in 30 games, and he blocked three or more shots in eight games.

Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Inside the Heat. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.

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Anthony Pasciolla
ANTHONY PASCIOLLA

Anthony Pasciolla is a sports journalist who began covering the NBA in June 2023. A Philadelphia native, Anthony has experience covering the Philadelphia 76ers as a credentialed reporter. He has written for Miami Heat, Back In The Day Hoops, Kansas State Wildcats, and Illinois Fighting Illini on Sports Illustrated. His work also includes 76ers coverage for The Sporting News and previous stories for Athlon Sports and BasketballNews. When he’s not covering the NBA, you can find him spending time with friends and family or diving into the world of fantasy football. Follow him on X @AnthonyPasci or reach him via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com