Another NBA blockbuster trade, and another former Indiana basketball player is on the move.
Like last season, newsbreakers were burning the midnight oil and, minutes before NBA Draft Eve expired Monday night, the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes had finally ended. ESPN reported that Antetokounmpo was traded to the Miami Heat for a package including four players, three first-round picks, a pick swap and a second-round pick headed to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Like last season, a late-night trade sent Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. And former Hoosiers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino was part of that three-team trade package that was completed Feb. 2, 2025 and also sent Anthony Davis to the Mavericks. Fewer than 24 hours before the 2026 NBA Draft, the Bucks completed their own blockbuster move and acquired former IU center Kel’el Ware as part of the haul, and headed to the Pacers’ division.
Ware was named to the NBA All-Rookie second team in 2025 after averaging 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds in 64 games (34 starts) in the 2024-25 season. Ware followed up with a sophomore showing of 11.1 points and 9 rebounds in 0.1 fewer minutes per game — 77 total, 34 starts.
The Bucks are getting a center with stability in a starting or reserve role still on a rookie contract to pair alongside Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis. Milwaukee also holds the No. 13 pick, acquired as part of the trade, and their own pick at 10th for Tuesday’s first round of the NBA Draft.
Miami adds Antetokounmpo and veteran forward Bobby Portis to the mix with Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jovic.
Ware didn’t arrive to IU as a traditional student, though few have in today’s college basketball. He played his first season at Oregon for Dana Altman before transferring to a Big Ten rival in Bloomington. In his lone season with the Hoosiers, Ware averaged 15.9 points and 9.9 rebounds while 30 starts.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Former Indiana basketball player involved in NBA’s blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade
Reporting by Aaron Ferguson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Aaron Ferguson, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
