Kel’el Ware’s first week of regular-season action with the Milwaukee Bucks has been an eye-opener, and the former Miami Heat big man is making his old team’s starting center look bad in the process.

Through the first four games of the season, Ware has outproduced Bam Adebayo despite playing far fewer minutes, according to StatMuse. Ware is averaging 13.3 points and 8.5 rebounds in just 19 minutes per game while shooting 57% from the field, 25% from three and 67% from the free-throw line.

Adebayo, meanwhile, is putting up 11.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in 31 minutes per night. The Heat star has also struggled with his shot, connecting on just 40% from the field, 17% from three and 62% at the line.

Ware has been especially productive over the past few days. He posted 19 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks in Saturday’s 127-116 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, then followed it up with 16 points and 14 rebounds in just 19 minutes off the bench in Monday’s 110-102 win over the Indiana Pacers. It marked his second straight double-double and helped the Bucks pick up their first victory of the season.

The early returns are a welcome sight for Milwaukee. Ware was a key piece of the blockbuster trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami in June. In exchange for the two-time MVP, the Bucks received Ware, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and a collection of future draft capital.

For a franchise trying to rebuild on the fly, Ware’s development could be one of the biggest wins of the deal. He has carved out a role behind Myles Turner and made an impact in limited minutes.

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The Heat, on the other hand, have gotten off to a rough start despite adding Antetokounmpo. Miami has dropped its first four games, including a 113-109 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.

It is still early, and four games is a small sample size. Adebayo remains one of the league’s most versatile defenders, and his numbers will likely bounce back. Still, Bucks fans have to be encouraged by what they have seen from Ware so far.

Milwaukee, now 1-3, will look to build on its first win when it hosts the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Miami visits the Atlanta Hawks that night.