After two trips to the NBA finals in 2020 and 2023, the Jimmy Butler-led Miami Heat’s best days are likely behind them. After a series of issues with the franchise, the all-star 35-year-old wing has requested a trade out of South Beach, leaving Miami uncertain of its future direction. The Heat no longer have the star power to sustain a deep playoff run but are still too good to tank for a top draft pick. All-Star center Bam Adebayo is still just 27 years old, and 25-year-old Tyler Herro has taken a big leap as a ball handler this season. These two are both solid players who can feature on a contending team but, collectively, aren’t good enough of a core for the Heat to build around. Given these two truths, worries of long-term mediocrity surround Miami.

However, amidst this turmoil and uncertainty, rookie center Kel’el Ware has chipped in with glimpses of star potential. With his immense two-way talent, the 20-year-old big man may be the key to the Heat finding success in a post-Jimmy Butler reality.

The 15th overall pick hasn’t yet found consistency this season, but has shined in spurts of. greatness. He most recently exploded for 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks in a victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Coming off the bench, he matched up with Victor Wembanyama and outscored last year’s Rookie Of The Year winner. In his second 25-point outing this season, The 7-footer’s tantalizing athleticism stood out as he took full advantage of his ground coverage skills and vertical tools to thrive as a play finisher. These athletic traits, combined with his budding skill as a shooter and off-the-dribble scorer give him vast two-way potential.

Ware’s potential is in line with Miami’s current best player, Bam Adebayo. The big man duo played extended minutes along one another in the frontcourt, and it proved to work as the Heat defeated San Antonio.

While Miami is still faced with a difficult decision to make about Jimmy Butler’s future with the franchise, Ware can help make this decision a bit easier with his excellence; the 20-year-old has given many reason to believe that he can be a future star for the Heat to rely on in a post-Jimmy Butler world.

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A massive yacht allegedly rented out by legendary hip-hop producer Metro Boomin burst into flames while docked outside one of Miami’s most popular strip clubs early Sunday morning, according to reports.

The fire broke out on the 95-foot-long vessel outside Booby Trap On The River only about 30 minutes after it docked at the adult entertainment club at around 3 a.m., Local10 reported.

Workers at the club immediately sprung into action to help evacuate about 10 people onboard the boat, including Metro Boomin and five crew members, according to the director of security at the Booby Trap on the River, Michael Marhefka.

“The boat pulled up and they were on the boat maybe 30 minutes at the dock and we noticed what sounded like fire alarms going off,” Marhefka told the local outlet.

“When we looked at the boat we did see some smoke inside the boat. We made the determination to evacuate the boat immediately.”

After everyone was safely removed from the boat, the flames continued to grow, engulfing the vessel and prompting a massive response from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue at around 4 a.m.

Fire officials said more than 30 units — some responding from land and others in fire rescue boats — were called to the scene to help extinguish the growing inferno, according to NBC 6.

The blaze, which officials said was challenging to put out because of the yacht’s size and fuel load, became so large that it drew a large crowd of onlookers in awe of the flames.

An unnamed witness at the scene told NBC 6 that the fire was “unexpected” and that she had never seen “anything like this.”

Another said the fire “scared” her and others because of its size.

The yacht ultimately sank into the Miami River. No injuries were reported, according to officials.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said they tried to limit the fuel runoff with “specialized oil spill response equipment that entails an oil-absorbent boom” after the fire was extinguished, according to the Miami Herald.

“This strong mesh-like sleeve encases a highly absorbent material that soaks up oil and surface sheen,” MDFR spokesperson Nicholas DiGiacomo told the outlet.

An investigation has been launched to determine what caused the blaze.

Metro Boomin, who has collaborated with artists such as The Weekend, Young Thug, Future, and Travis Scott, has not released a public statement about the incident.