The Heat have officially signed first-round pick Kel’el Ware to a rookie scale deal, according to a press release issued Monday. Ware becomes the first 2024 draft pick to formally sign his first NBA contract.
Ware, one of the top centers in this year’s rookie class, transferred to Indiana a year ago after spending his freshman season at Oregon. He had a career season for the Hoosiers, averaging 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 32.2 minutes per game (30 appearances), receiving All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defense recognition.
Ware, the 15th choice in this year’s draft, will earn a first-year salary of around $4.23 million. His four-year contract with Miami, which includes team options for the third and fourth seasons, will be worth approximately $20.47 million.
While teams are unable to consummate deals or make certain signings until July 6, they are permitted to sign first- or second-round picks to contracts during the moratorium period, thus the Heat did not have to wait until Saturday for Ware to sign.
