Davion Mitchell has made it clear the Miami Heat noticed the work he put in this offseason - and so did Bam Adebayo, who delivered the kind of backhanded compliment only a teammate can get away with.
Adebayo joked that Mitchell was “not fat anymore,” a remark aimed at the guard’s heavier look during the 2025-26 season. Mitchell didn’t take it as anything more than the usual Heat-room banter. As he told The Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang:
“Bam talks a lot of trash, so I’m not surprised. When he said that, I wasn’t surprised at all, but it’s all love.
I mean, obviously, he sees the work that I put in. He’s around me a lot during this offseason, and he respects everything I do, just like I respect everything he does.”
Mitchell’s body transformation has been one of the offseason storylines around Miami, and there’s a reason for it. With Tyler Herro gone, Mitchell is stepping into a much bigger job as the team’s main facilitator and point-of-attack defender. That kind of responsibility doesn’t come with shortcuts, so he attacked the summer with grueling conditioning work.
The results have shown up. Mitchell looked noticeably better physically than he did a year ago, and he said the work wasn’t just about endless gym sessions. He also pushed back on the idea that he’s been living in the workout room.
“I get my sleep and everything. People just see the workouts.
But I get my eight hours. I’m staying on that.
I eat right. I think people just see the work and think I’m working all day.
That’s not what it is.”
Mitchell also said he got his “bounce” back, a sign that his athletic pop is where he wants it to be again. For a smaller guard who has to hold up defensively and keep Miami organized offensively, that matters.
The Heat’s roster overhaul only raises the stakes from here. Miami landed Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis in one of the biggest trades of the summer, a move that reshaped the roster and pushed Mitchell further into the spotlight. With Herro and Norman Powell out of the picture, the Heat are going to ask more from their new starting point guard.
Last season, Mitchell averaged 9.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 49.0% from the field and 39.5% from three. Those numbers already hint at a useful player. The new role says Miami needs something bigger.
In Other News...
Heat Are Learning Tyler Herro Left A Bigger Void Than Expected
Tyler Herros departure has left Miami with a sharper appreciation for everything he was giving them on offense. Before the trade that sent him out to bring in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Herro had become more than a scorer, giving the Heat a mix of shot-making, playmaking and efficient production that helped steady the attack in different ways.
Now the challenge is finding a replacement that looks anything like that package, and that is not a simple ask. Miami has been linked to veteran options such as DeMar DeRozan and Klay Thompson as it searches for help, but both come with different skill sets and timelines than the player the Heat just moved. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Linked To Proven Scorer As Shooting Need Comes Into Focus
Miamis need for shooting has been obvious for a while, and Bradley Beal has quickly emerged as a name worth watching as the offseason opens up. The veteran guard just finished a season derailed by a hip injury that required surgery, limiting him to only six games, but his track record as a proven scorer still makes him an intriguing fit for a team looking to add offense without overhauling its core.
Beal is now on the market after opting out of his deal with the Clippers, and the free-agent path gives teams a chance to explore what a fresh start might look like. For the Heat, the appeal is easy to understand: they need more shot-making, and Beals resume checks that box. What matters next is whether the interest turns into something more concrete as Miami keeps weighing its options. [Read more 🡒]
Pat Riley's Next Move Could Change Everything For The Heat
Pat Rileys offseason has already changed the feel of the Heats future, even before Miami gets to the next big decision. The team is still being linked to another star addition, with names like DeMar DeRozan, Klay Thompson and Bradley Beal all surfacing as possible fits for a roster that has been looking for the right extra piece to push it back into the Easts top tier.
What makes this next move matter so much is the ripple effect around the league, where the biggest names keep reshaping the balance of power. Philadelphia already has a heavyweight starting group, and Miami knows it cannot afford to stand still if it wants to keep pace with the conferences elite, which is why Rileys next swing will be watched closely until the Heat make their intentions clear. [Read more 🡒]