In the latest example of NBA life coming at you quickly, consider the case of Miami Heat young center Kel'el Ware. This time last year, he was preparing for his first go-round as a mid-first-round curiosity, someone with obvious talent but also enough question marks to wonder what kind of impact he could make at this level.
Now, though, the 21-year-old finds himself carrying the heaviest burden in terms of raising the Heat's ceiling for the 2025-26 season. Miami can only maximize his potential if he does, but if that happens, suddenly the Eastern Conference could have another contender on its hands.