There’s a new name sitting atop the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year odds leaderboard. Miami Heat big man Kel’el Ware is the odds-on leader (+140) in a race that’s been impossible to predict so far. Ware is averaging 8.6 points and 4.8 rebounds with just four starts, but he recently benefited from a role change caused by the organizational turmoil surrounding Jimmy Butler.
Butler has made it clear that he wants out of Miami this season and his failure to cooperate with Heat brass has led to multiple suspensions for the star forward. Miami is still looking to compete in the postseason, and Butler’s inconsistent effort and desire to compete has forced them to get creative and throw Ware into the starting lineup. The Oregon product has thrived since being thrown into the fire.
Ware is averaging 17.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game through four starts. He shot 52.9% from the field and 47.4% from deep in those contests. Those numbers are head and shoulder above what any first-year player has posted this campaign. However, Ware’s sample size is small. Miami is 2-2 with Ware as a starter and there’s not a better solution in sight, so it appears like he’ll remain with the first unit for the foreseeable future.
Ware has bumped Stephon Castle (+350), Alexandre Sarr (+400), and Jaylen Wells (+400) a few notches since rising to prominence over the last week. Sarr and Wells are starters, but it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to match Ware’s counting stats if he maintains his current scoring and rebounding rates. Oddsmakers have been waiting for a rookie in this watered-down class to show legitimate dominance. Ware is the first to do so since Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain. It might be a stretch to say that Ware has this award locked up given how the tide has shifted, but he’s the best odds leader we’ve seen since McCain in the first couple months of the season.
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