Kel'el Ware News, Rumors, Updates - Milwaukee Bucks

Kel'el Ware is the first gem to surface from the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade Kel'el Ware has been exceptional throughout the NBA preseason, dazzling for the Milwaukee Bucks.

8 HOURS AGO • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Double-doubles in preseason win Ware recorded 18 points (7-13 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one block across 25 minutes in Wednesday's 128-126 preseason win over the Thunder.

Impact After posting 14 points and 12 rebounds over 24 minutes off the bench in Monday's preseason-opening loss to Minnesota, Ware got the starting nod Wednesday. The big man struggled from beyond the arc but still finished as Milwaukee's second-leading scorer behind Myles Turner (19 points). Ware also led all players in rebounds, securing his second double-double in as many preseason games thus far.

20 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Will start Wednesday Ware will start Wednesday's preseason game against the Thunder.

Impact Ware came off the bench and posted a double-double during his Bucks debut, and he'll now supplant Kyle Kuzma in the starting lineup for Milwaukee's second exhibition game. Ware started 35 regular-season games for the Heat last year, averaging 12.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.3 blocks and 0.8 steals per game.

23 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jericho Sims, Kel'el Ware duo could immediately be Bucks' secret weapon The Jericho Sims and Kel'el Ware pairing has the potential to be a dangerous one for the Milwaukee Bucks.

1 DAY AGO • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Kel'el Ware could be exactly what the Raptors need to diversify their frontcourt My biggest takeaway from the Toronto Raptors preseason opener against the Miami Heat was how alarmingly undermanned the dinos felt at the fi...

2 DAYS AGO • RAPTORSRAPTURE.COM

Double-doubles in preseason loss Ware produced 14 points (5-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one block across 24 minutes in Monday's 116-97 preseason loss to the Timberwolves.

Impact Ware didn't deliver his most efficient shooting performance in Milwaukee's preseason opener. However, the big man finished as the club's second-leading scorer and paced all players in rebounds. Ware nearly averaged a double-double with Miami in 2025-26 and shot 39.5 percent from beyond the arc on 3.0 three-point tries per contest. Entering his third year in the league, the 22-year-old is in a much more favorable situation and has an opportunity to take on a more sizable and consistent role than he had with the Heat.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Bucks' fondness for Jalen Duren could spell trouble for Kel'el Ware believers If the Milwaukee Bucks acquire Jalen Duren, it would essentially block Kel'el Ware's chances of being the team's future starting center.

SEPTEMBER 23 • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Kel'el Ware Develops with Wembanyama & Olajuwon after Giannis Trade Big men as skilled at the game of basketball as Kel'el Ware don't exactly appear out of nowhere often, but here he finds himself in Milwauke...

SEPTEMBER 19 • SI.COM

Kel'el Ware positioned to make ESPN eat their words about Bucks' future Kel'el Ware wasn't featured among the Milwaukee Bucks' list of intriguing young prospects by ESPN. That feels like a good source of motivati...

SEPTEMBER 18 • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Kel'el Ware is the answer to Bucks' glaring second-chance scoring shortcomings The Bucks needed more putbacks last season, and Kel'el Ware can provide them.

SEPTEMBER 17 • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Kel'el Ware's box outs can be the shot in the arm Bucks lacked last year Kel'el Ware's boxing out will be a valuable tool for the Milwaukee Bucks after last year's shortcomings.

SEPTEMBER 17 • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Kel'el Ware can make Bucks' struggle to move Myles Turner a blessing in disguise The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly had trouble trading Myles Turner. He and Kel'el Ware can erase the frustration in 2026-27.

SEPTEMBER 10 • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Could see increased role with Milwaukee Ware has a clearer path to playing time on the Bucks and should have a better opportunity to find firmer footing than he had with Miami, per Zach Kram of ESPN.

Impact Ware flashed potential in his first two years in the Association with Miami, and he averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 combined steals-plus-blocks and 0.7 assists in 22.1 minutes per game across 77 regular-season appearances (34 starts) in 2025-26. The big man also shot an impressive 39.5 percent from downtown on 3.0 three-point tries per contest last season. He was dealt to Milwaukee as part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade in June, and Ware now has the chance to start fresh and become a building block for the Bucks in their rebuild. Myles Turner is coming off a down year, and his long-term future in Milwaukee is unclear. Ware could carve out a starting role with the Bucks regardless of Turner's presence, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the former take another step forward in a more favorable situation.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Kel'el Ware has small but achievable goal awaiting him with Bucks Milwaukee Bucks center Kel'el Ware led the NBA in defensive goaltends last season and should trim that number this season.

AUGUST 31 • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Bucks' Tyler Herro not worrying about contract status as he begins new chapter with hometown team

Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Herro says he isn’t dwelling on his contract status and what that means for his future now that he’s joined his hometown team

AUGUST 8 • Associated Press

Taylor Jenkins cannot repeat Erik Spoelstra's Kel'el Ware mistake with Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks partially hired Taylor Jenkins to work with their youngsters, and Kel'el Ware should put him to good use in that regard.

AUGUST 7 • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

What the Milwaukee Bucks need from Kel'el Ware There are few wakeup calls in the NBA like being a young player traded on their rookie deal. Even if it was for a star, it’s a harsh reality...

AUGUST 1 • SI.COM

Kel'el Ware gives the Bucks a key advantage that's unmatched in the NBA The Bucks have a three-point shooting big like no other in Kel’el Ware.

JULY 27 • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Giannis arrives in Miami, looking to follow Messi's path to more titles and success

Giannis Antetokounmpo is inspired by Lionel Messi's success and wants to follow his path

JULY 16 • Associated Press

Quiet advantage of Giannis trade helping Kel'el Ware find his footing Being traded from one team to another with a handful of teammates has its perks. Ask new Milwaukee Bucks center Kel'el Ware.

JULY 15 • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Kel'el Ware finally says quiet part out loud about his odd fit with Heat Kel'el Ware finally said what almost every Miami Heat fan was already thinking about his two years with the team.

JULY 13 • ALLUCANHEAT.COM

Kel'el Ware feels like he can flourish with the Milwaukee Bucks A change of scenary can sometimes bring the best out of players. Conversations about Giannis Antetokounmpo being potentially traded lasted f...

JULY 13 • SI.COM

Kel'el Ware Reflects on His Time in Miami They say to catch bigger fish you need bigger bait, and in the NBA, that relates directly to landing "whales". Easily identified as supersta...

JULY 13 • SI.COM

Bucks are one trade away from offering Kel'el Ware his greatest wish Kel'el Ware is ready for an uptick in minutes with the Milwaukee Bucks, but there is still one major obstacle.

JULY 12 • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Milwaukee GM Jon Horst forthright about challenges facing Bucks in post-Giannis era

Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst makes one thing perfectly clear about the challenge facing the franchise as it moves forward without Giannis Antetokounmpo

JULY 8 • Associated Press

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Bucks' Tyler Herro not worrying about contract status as he begins new chapter with hometown team

Giannis arrives in Miami, looking to follow Messi's path to more titles and success

Milwaukee GM Jon Horst forthright about challenges facing Bucks in post-Giannis era