The Miami Heat came up short in the LeBron James sweepstakes, and that leaves their search for another playmaker even more important. Team president Pat Riley already pointed to that need, but Miami may not have to look far. Davion Mitchell is already on the roster, and his offseason work suggests he’s not treating this like a finished product.
Mitchell has built a reputation around the league for his defense, the kind of edge that earned him the nickname "Off-Night". Around the Heat, though, there’s more to the story. He’s the type of player who keeps grinding, keeps working, and keeps chasing another level.
That showed up again this summer. Mitchell posted a video of himself hiking in the mountains of Switzerland with a basketball --as he always carries-- while wearing his jersey, only a few days after sharing a workout with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Greece.
Davion Mitchell had a career year in Miami, putting up 9.3 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while also finishing with a positive net on/off on both ends for the Heat. The numbers back up the eye test: he was steady, disruptive, and increasingly important.
The next step is about expanding that impact. With Giannis Antetokounmpo drawing so much attention, Miami figures to get cleaner looks, and Mitchell will be one of the players expected to cash in.
He shot 39.5% from three last season on 3.3 attempts, and that volume is likely to rise. He also hit 38.4% of his catch-and-shoot threes, making one per game, another number that should climb if the opportunities keep coming.
His playmaking could grow right along with that. Mitchell assisted on 28.36% of the field goals made by his teammates while he was on the floor last season, a mark that ranked in the 91st percentile in the entire NBA.
He also created 25.5 points per game and turned it over just 1.5 times per game, a strong combination for a guard handling the ball as often as he does. If his scoring threat improves, the passing lanes should open even more.
There’s still room for him to squeeze out easy points, too. Mitchell attempted only 1 free throw per game last season, and he’s a career 68.7% shooter at the line. Getting there more often - and converting once he does - would matter.
Finishing at the rim is another area worth watching. Mitchell has shown he can beat defenders off the dribble, but his rim efficiency has dipped since arriving in Miami, where he shot 59.2 and 64 percent in his one and a half seasons. Better finishing would help the Heat offense, give him more ways to create, and likely help him draw more fouls.
Even in the smaller details, there’s something to build on. Mitchell shot 23.8% (5/21) and 26.1% (6/23) from the corners, and those are the kinds of open spots that can quietly swing possessions if he starts punishing defenses there.
Mitchell has the mindset Miami loves. He fits Heat Culture, he works like it, and now the chance is there for that effort to turn into a bigger role. If this offseason is any indication, he’s coming for that next step.
In Other News...
Heat Face One Huge Roster Decision After Missing On Another Star
Miamis offseason has already taken a dramatic turn, with the Heat landing Giannis Antetokounmpo in a recent trade even as they paid a steep price in depth to get him. That kind of move usually changes the whole conversation around a roster, but it also creates a new one: how to patch the holes left behind while keeping enough talent around a star who can tilt the East on his own.
One name that has surfaced in that search is Bradley Beal, a former high-level scorer whose market has shifted after a rough stretch and a hip injury. If Miami goes that route, it would likely be chasing value more than splash, weighing whether Beal still has enough left to help a contender or whether the Heat need to keep looking for a cleaner fit as they try to round out the roster. [Read more 🡒]