Heat become first team to sign 2024 first-rounder
The Heat have officially signed first-round pick Kel’el Ware to his rookie scale contract, the team announced on Monday in a press release. Ware becomes the first player selected in the 2024 draft to formally sign his first NBA contract.
Considered one of the top centers in this year’s rookie class, Ware transferred to Indiana a year ago after spending his freshman year at Oregon. He enjoyed a breakout year for the Hoosiers, averaging 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 32.2 minutes per game (30 contests), earning All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defense honors.
As the No. 15 pick in this year’s draft, Ware will earn a first-year salary of approximately $4.23M. His four-year deal with Miami, which includes team options on the third and fourth seasons, will be worth about $20.47M.
While teams can’t complete trades or certain signings until July 6, they’re allowed to sign first- or second-round picks to contracts during the moratorium period, so the Heat didn’t have to wait until Saturday to have Ware put pen to paper.
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