Norman Powell didn’t hold back when he talked about Davion Mitchell, and the praise landed with extra weight because it came from someone who saw the guard’s routine up close. During a live stream, the former Miami Heat All-Star said Mitchell’s daily approach stood out to him all offseason.
"Being around Davion, Davion genuinely loves basketball," he said. "Seeing how much he pours into the game every single day.
Davion was the one person I seen that I say ‘ok, this guy works out like me.’ He’s committed to the grind.”
That kind of endorsement fits the way Mitchell has built his reputation. He’s coming off a strong season as Miami’s full-time starting point guard, putting up 9.3 points on 49 percent shooting, 2.7 rebounds and a career-high 6.5 assists across 70 games. He also posted one of the league’s best assist-to-turnover ratios at 4.3, while continuing to rank among the NBA’s most disruptive guard defenders.
The timing matters, too. Mitchell is heading into what could be a pivotal 2026-27 season with a roster that now includes Giannis Antetokounmpo. With defenses expected to key in on the 10-time All-Star, Mitchell should see cleaner looks and more room to operate as a five-year veteran.
He’s clearly been preparing for that opportunity. Mitchell has been working through a series of intense offseason workouts designed to help him get stronger, handle the ball better and sharpen his catch-and-shoot three-point game.
The goal is simple: deliver winning impact alongside Miami’s star-heavy core. He’ll have 31 chances to show that work on national television.
There’s also real pressure attached to the season. Mitchell is on an expiring contract and is set to make $12.4 million. If the Heat decide they need another move, he could become part of trade discussions, and how he plays will shape how far those talks can go.
For Miami, Powell’s comments are a useful reminder that Mitchell’s value isn’t just in the box score. As one of the team’s X-factors, getting that kind of work ethic praise from an All-Star is a strong sign, especially for an organization trying to make everything fit.
Powell, now with the Chicago Bulls after signing this summer, will get multiple looks at his former team during the regular season. He’s scheduled to play the Heat three times, including back-to-back games at Kaseya Center in late December, and those matchups figure to bring plenty of direct reps with Mitchell.
Training camp for the Heat is coming up soon.
In Other News...
Heat Face A Costly New Question After Their Giannis Gamble
The Heats aggressive move to land Giannis Antetokounmpo has immediately shifted the conversation from star power to roster construction, and that is where the next challenge begins. Miami still has reason to believe it can build around a new centerpiece, but the price of getting there has left the front office looking for ways to add size, shooting and flexibility without draining what little depth remains.
Trey Murphy III has emerged as one of the names to watch in that search. The Pelicans wing has taken a major step forward over the past two seasons and is under contract through 2028-29, which is exactly the kind of stability Miami would want, but also the kind of asset New Orleans would be expected to protect. Any push from the Heat could force a difficult conversation built around Andrew Wiggins and draft picks, with the Pelicans likely to ask for a steep return before they even consider moving him. [Read more 🡒]
Norman Powell Sounds Convinced Miami Can Be An East Problem
Norman Powell spent last season with the Heat, so his read on what Miami can become carries a little extra weight. The veteran shooting guard has been upbeat about the franchises outlook since the addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he pointed to the kind of foundation the Heat always like to build around, with Bam Adebayo, Klay Thompson, depth and Erik Spoelstra all part of the pitch.
For Miami, the optimism is less about one splashy move than how the pieces might fit once the season starts. Powells broader confidence in the roster fits the Heats long-running identity as a team that believes it can outwork, outcoach and outlast opponents in the East, and he seems convinced this version has the ingredients to do it. The only real question now is how high that belief can carry them once the games count. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Final Roster Spot Comes Down To One Risky Backcourt Bet
With one roster spot still open, the Heat are kicking around the kind of move that fits the organizations usual appetite for upside over comfort. Devin Carter, recently waived by the Hawks, has surfaced as a potential low-risk, high-reward addition for Miami as it continues looking for backcourt help and another developmental piece to keep in the pipeline.
Carter brings the appeal of a former lottery pick who has flashed enough promise to stay on the radar, even if his first two NBA seasons were defined as much by inconsistency and availability issues as by progress. For Miami, the question is whether that profile is worth betting on for a final spot, especially if the front office believes there is still something to unlock behind the rough edges. [Read more 🡒]