Latest news with #DavionMitchell
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Davion Mitchell proved to be an ‘amazing fit,' but did he price himself out of a Heat return?
The defensive-oriented Miami Heat and defensive-minded guard Davion Mitchell agree that they are the perfect fit for each other. 'It's an amazing fit,' said Mitchell, who started this season with the Toronto Raptors before being traded to the Heat on Feb. 6 as part of the Jimmy Butler deal. 'Everything they do, everything they're about, it's like I really didn't have to do anything. I feel like I'm just here. I feel like I can be free.' Now, the Heat and Mitchell will find out if they can agree on a new contract in free agency this offseason to continue their time together. The Heat is expected to extend an $8.7 million qualifying offer to Mitchell before the June 29 deadline to make him a restricted free agent, allowing Miami to match outside offers in free agency to retain Mitchell. If the Heat doesn't extend that qualifying offer, Mitchell would become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and Miami would lose the power to always have an opportunity match outside offers. Mitchell can return to the Heat on the one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer that Miami is expected to extend to him in the coming weeks. But the more likely scenario after Mitchell's strong finish to this season with the Heat is for him to sign an offer sheet with another team when free agency begins on July 1, putting pressure on Miami to make a decision on how far it's willing to go to keep him. The Heat would then have a few days to decide whether it will match that offer to re-sign Mitchell. Mitchell could also simply negotiate a new contract with the Heat for any length and any amount in free agency this summer. Miami holds Mitchell's Bird rights, which allow the Heat to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him up to his maximum salary despite already being over the cap. 'I mean, I haven't really thought about it or talked about it with my representation,' Mitchell said on exit interview day in late April when asked about his impending free agency. 'I think that there's a long summer that we're going to have a lot of time to talk about it. And when we do, I'll be prepared for that. But as of right now, I don't really know because I've never been in this situation before. So I'm just waiting to talk to my agency.' Mitchell, who turns 27 on Sept. 5, is expected to get the biggest contract of his NBA career after standing out following the February trade to Miami. With Mitchell making $6.5 million this past season in the final year of his rookie-scale contract after getting drafted with the ninth overall pick in 2021, he could draw offers around the $14 million full midlevel exception range this summer. After arriving to the Heat on Feb. 6, Mitchell averaged 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 50.4% from the field and 44.7% on 3.1 three-point attempts per game in 30 regular-season appearances (15 starts) for arguably the best sustained stretch of his NBA career. Mitchell averaged just 6.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 43.4% from the field and 35.9% on threes in 44 appearances for the Raptors prior to being traded to the Heat this season. Mitchell carried that late-season momentum into the postseason, totaling nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from three-point range in overtime of the Heat's playoff-clinching win over the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament on April 18. 'Coach Spo told me the first day, 'Just be yourself. I want you to be yourself. Go out there defensively and offensively and play your game. You know how to play the game. Get your teammates involved,'' Mitchell said of why he thrived with the Heat. 'Things that I've been doing since I've been playing basketball and I had the opportunity to do it here. The past places I've been to, I didn't really have the opportunity. I was playing with a lot of good players, so I understood it. 'But being here, I kind of just fit right in. They needed somebody who can be a defensive presence, who can get their teammates open, make my teammates life just a lot easier and I think that's what I did.' Mitchell's efficient outside shooting with the Heat proved to be a revelation, as he entered this past season as a 32.7 percent three-point shooter over his first three NBA seasons. That reputation led to opponents consistently leaving Mitchell open from three-point range, but he took advantage by shooting 37 of 76 (48.7%) on wide open threes (defined by the NBA as when the closest defender is more than six feet away) with the Heat this past regular season. 'I think basketball comes with a rhythm. I think playing for Miami, I had a lot of rhythm,' Mitchell said of that spike in three-point shooting efficiency with the Heat. 'I had the ball in my hands, not just shooting the ball but to be able to make plays, to be able to turn people over and get defensive stops. That comes with a rhythm. People don't understand that, people that don't really know the game don't really understand it's a rhythm thing.' But Mitchell's calling card is still his on-ball defense. Known as 'off night' for his ability to shut down opposing teams' top scorers, Mitchell's point-of-attack defense immediately helped the Heat. The Heat allowed 3.4 fewer points per 100 possessions with Mitchell on the court compared to when he wasn't playing after the February trade. 'It's not hard,' Mitchell said of fitting into Heat coach Erik Spoelstra's defensive scheme. 'It's very simple, just play hard. There's no really tricks or anything. He just wants you to play extremely hard. Honestly, that's how I got in this league, that's who I am. I'm always going to play hard no matter what the circumstances are. So it's pretty easy for me.' Now, the question is did Mitchell play so well that he priced himself out of a Heat return? With the Heat only about $4 million from the luxury-tax threshold with 13 players under contract for next season, not too far away from the punitive first-apron threshold and also seemingly hesitant to offer lucrative multi-year contracts that would eat into any potential 2026 cap space, the Heat will have to consider the consequences of re-signing Mitchell. 'Just the culture here, I think I fit completely in,' Mitchell said of his initial Heat experience. 'Since the first day I got here, it was pretty easy to fit in. Everyone is friendly, everyone is cool, everyone loves what I do, everyone loves what I bring to the table.' The Heat's love for Mitchell will be tested in free agency this summer.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Heat offseason outlook: Miami needs more than culture to get out of basketball purgatory
After a series that went pretty much as expected — OK, it did get out of hand at the end — the Miami Heat's season is over at the hands of the much better, more efficient and more appealing Cleveland Cavaliers. In fairness, this team never stood a chance. Not really. It fought valiantly through the play-in tournament, and it seems to have found something in Davion Mitchell, but nothing about this team screams high ceiling, especially after trading Jimmy Butler at the deadline — and maybe even before that. Despite the eternal presence of #HeatCulture, this team lacks quality and depth to make a real run in the playoffs. For crying out loud, Swedish guard Pelle Larsson got first-quarter minutes in the deciding Game 4. Skämtar du med mig?! Miami appears to be stuck in the middle, with very little flexibility moving forward. The Heat don't have their own pick this year, and while Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins are rock-solid players, combined they're unspectacular. More than ever, the nuclear option is enticing. Well, for anyone but the Heat. We'll get back to that. The Heat can ask for the moon for Adebayo and probably get it. Herro would also bring in a fairly significant haul. Wiggins is outproducing his contract, meaning he too is an asset. Standing in the way of a full teardown is the culture itself. The Heat are adamant about not tanking and wish to remain competitive until they're forced into a corner where that's no longer sustainable. While many would argue the Heat have painted themselves into a corner, the organization itself isn't likely to look at it that way, and that's despite stumbling onto a future building block in rookie big man Kel'el Ware. So, uh, expect much of the same next season. 2024-2025 record: 37-45 While the improved play of Herro deserves recognition, it's the revelation of Ware. It's not every day you find a legit 7-footer with an inside-outside game and defensive upside. The Heat, assuming they wish to keep this current train running, need a no-nonsense No. 1 guy who can be the primary playmaker. That's a tall task, as Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey or any other Tyrese isn't walking through that door. The Heat can try to trade for one by relinquishing the two remaining tradable picks they have, but unless that player is a legit Tier 1 star, that's just kicking the can down the road. No. 20 (via Golden State) With Ware in the fold, it'd behoove Miami to find an impactful defender at the four spot who can switch effortlessly, do the dirty work and even function as a bit of a hub. That description fits South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles, who likely will be out of reach for the Heat at 20. If anything, a trade up would be intriguing. Davion Mitchell (RFA) Duncan Robinson (ETO) The Heat aren't in bad shape in regard to the luxury tax, but they don't have money to spend, and Terry Rozier's $26.6 million deal is laughably bad at this point. Searching for outside help is fine, but they'll be limited in what they can do with the cap projected to be $154.6 million, especially as virtually no team can absorb money. Don't expect Miami to be a buyer. One can hope the Game 4 massacre will force the organization to alter its course, but assuming it sticks with the philosophy of never tanking, it'll more than likely look at ways to strengthen the current roster in whatever capacity it can. What the goal should be is to initiate a major overhaul, but that seems unlikely.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Heat offseason outlook: Miami needs more than culture to get out of basketball purgatory
After a series that went pretty much as expected — OK, it did get out of hand at the end — the Miami Heat's season is over at the hands of the much better, more efficient and more appealing Cleveland Cavaliers. In fairness, this team never stood a chance. Not really. It fought valiantly through the play-in tournament, and it seems to have found something in Davion Mitchell, but nothing about this team screams high ceiling, especially after trading Jimmy Butler at the deadline — and maybe even before that. Despite the eternal presence of #HeatCulture, this team lacks quality and depth to make a real run in the playoffs. For crying out loud, Swedish guard Pelle Larsson got first-quarter minutes in the deciding Game 4. Skämtar du med mig?! Miami appears to be stuck in the middle, with very little flexibility moving forward. The Heat don't have their own pick this year, and while Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins are rock-solid players, combined they're unspectacular. More than ever, the nuclear option is enticing. Well, for anyone but the Heat. We'll get back to that. The Heat can ask for the moon for Adebayo and probably get it. Herro would also bring in a fairly significant haul. Wiggins is outproducing his contract, meaning he too is an asset. Standing in the way of a full teardown is the culture itself. The Heat are adamant about not tanking and wish to remain competitive until they're forced into a corner where that's no longer sustainable. While many would argue the Heat have painted themselves into a corner, the organization itself isn't likely to look at it that way, and that's despite stumbling onto a future building block in rookie big man Kel'el Ware. So, uh, expect much of the same next season. 2024-2025 record: 37-45 While the improved play of Herro deserves recognition, it's the revelation of Ware. It's not every day you find a legit 7-footer with an inside-outside game and defensive upside. The Heat, assuming they wish to keep this current train running, need a no-nonsense No. 1 guy who can be the primary playmaker. That's a tall task, as Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey or any other Tyrese isn't walking through that door. The Heat can try to trade for one by relinquishing the two remaining tradable picks they have, but unless that player is a legit Tier 1 star, that's just kicking the can down the road. No. 20 (via Golden State) With Ware in the fold, it'd behoove Miami to find an impactful defender at the four spot who can switch effortlessly, do the dirty work and even function as a bit of a hub. That description fits South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles, who likely will be out of reach for the Heat at 20. If anything, a trade up would be intriguing. Davion Mitchell (RFA) Duncan Robinson (ETO) The Heat aren't in bad shape in regard to the luxury tax, but they don't have money to spend, and Terry Rozier's $26.6 million deal is laughably bad at this point. Searching for outside help is fine, but they'll be limited in what they can do with the cap projected to be $154.6 million, especially as virtually no team can absorb money. Don't expect Miami to be a buyer. One can hope the Game 4 massacre will force the organization to alter its course, but assuming it sticks with the philosophy of never tanking, it'll more than likely look at ways to strengthen the current roster in whatever capacity it can. What the goal should be is to initiate a major overhaul, but that seems unlikely.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA & Fantasy Basketball Loser Lineup: Miami Heat — There's a diamond in the (really) rough down in South Beach
The playoffs are where stars rise and weaknesses get exposed. Every defeated team leaves behind stories of promise and failure — the players who stand at the crossroads of potential and uncertainty. We're not here to dwell on the heartbreak of an early exit, but to sift through the aftermath, piecing together what it means for fantasy rosters and spotlighting the players who deserve your attention. For every team sent packing, we'll analyze one standout player primed for growth and one major question mark that could impact the team's fantasy value. Advertisement The NBA offseason is already shaping up to be a drama-filled, rumor-laden affair. This is all about understanding what's next, not just for the teams themselves, but for the fantasy managers who are getting a pulse ahead of the 2025-26 season. Davion Mitchell's rise amid chaos The Heat's playoff exit wasn't just ugly; it was a full-blown disaster. Getting swept in historic fashion by the Cavaliers opened up a can of worms that will undoubtedly be addressed in the offseason. However, for fantasy managers, Davion Mitchell is a player on the rise despite the carnage. With Rozier out of the mix, Mitchell handled more responsibility and showcased a refined 3-point shot, serious defensive chops and the potential as a discount playmaker (think six-to-seven assist upside). Kel'el Ware is another player I'd target, though I anticipate he'll be a mid-round pick next season after averaging a double-double with over a block per game in 36 starts this year. Feet to the fire, what changes will Pat Riley cook up? Bam Adebayo told us everything we needed to know following their Game 4 blowout loss: Tyler Herro and Adebayo are All-Star-level players who couldn't win against real competition. They went 12-34 against opponents with a .500 record or better this year. Change is undoubtedly coming and plenty of marquee players will be available in the trade market, so it's hard to trust the outlook of anyone. Although, I feel like the aforementioned Mitchell did enough over the past three months to prove he embodies the grit and tenacity Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley yearn for. Advertisement Bottom line? Mitchell won't be a flashy pick, but in the late rounds, at this moment, his role is ascending in South Beach. Stay tuned as we dissect more playoff exits, one team at a time, and help you dominate your draft board.
Miami Herald
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Cleveland ends Heat season with humiliating 138-83 drubbing. Cavs sweep, win 4 games by 122
The worst Heat season in more than a decade ended in humiliating fashion on Monday, delivering a sad and sobering message to a proud franchise that played in the NBA Finals two years ago and has witnessed a rapid regression since. The top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers jumped to 38-10 lead, led 72-33 at halftime and 111-63 after three and drubbed the Heat, 138-83, at Kaseya Center to sweep the first-round series, ending a mess of a season that featured the Jimmy Butler-created chaos, three Butler suspensions and subsequent trade; a 10-game losing streak; and an embarrassing first round playoff exit. And so Miami's season ends with a record of 39-49, factoring in the play-in wins against Chicago and Atlanta and Cleveland's four-game sweep. Miami closed 19-24 at home. For the third time in four games in this series, the Heat wasn't competitive. Miami lost the opener by 37, Game 2 by 9, Game 3 by 21 and Game 4 by 55, making Monday the fourth most lopsided game in NBA playoff history. Cleveland won the four games by 122, making it the most lopsided playoff series in NBA history. This wasn't the most lopsided loss in Heat history; Miami lost 148-80 in Cleveland in December 1991. Monday started inauspiciously when Davion Mitchell threw a bad pass to Kel'el Ware; Cleveland's Jarrett Allen intercepted and dunked in transition. It went downhill from there. Mitchell turned it over twice more in the next two minutes, and everything quickly unraveled. The Cavs overwhelmed the Heat with two massive first-quarter runs - one 18-2 and another 15-0 avalanche that pushed the lead to 38-10. Cleveland's 39-point halftime advantage was the third largest in NBA history, two short of the record. While Donovan Mitchell scored 13 in the first quarter, the Heat's starts were AWOL. Bam Adebayo didn't attempt a shot for the first nine minutes, then barely grazed iron on his first shot in a two-point, two-rebound first quarter. He was lethargic early, then picked up the energy to finish with 13 points and 12 rebounds in 32 minutes. Tyler Herro, a focus of the Cavs' suffocating defense, had a dismal four-point night, shooting 1 for 10, including 1 for 9 on threes in 31 minutes. On Saturday, Herro told The Athletic: 'Obviously I know I need Jimmy to win. If we had Jimmy right now, I feel like it'd be a completely different situation.' Andrew Wiggins, coming off consecutive 3 for 10 shooting games, opened 0 for 5, didn't score until early in the second half (it was 74-36 at that point), and finished with 12 points (5 for 12 shooting) in 22 minutes, again making no impact on winning. Wiggins, Adebayo and Davion Mitchell each committed three turnovers. Erik Spoelstra benched his rookie center, Ware, 3:47 into the game, replacing him with Haywood Highsmith with the Heat down 12-3. Ware didn't play again until late in the third quarter, when the Cavs led by 46; Nikola Jovic started the second half in his place. Duncan Robinson didn't play until late in the third quarter, and the Heat must decide whether to pay him $19.8 million to remain on the team, or $9.8 million to go away, a decision due by July 7. Jovic, in his third game back from February's hand injury, scored 24 on 8 for 15 shooting. The Heat closed at 36 percent from the field and 10 for 49 on threes, and had 19 turnovers compared with 17 assists. The Cavs, who shot 55 percent from the field and 22 for 47 on threes, got 22 points from Mitchell, 19 from De'Andre Hunter and 17 from Evan Mobley. Monday was the franchise's nadir this decade, and it felt like it throughout. After 21 minutes, it was 70-23, and boos descended from the Kaseya Center rafters. By that point, the Heat was shooting 10 for 36 overall and 2 for 21 on threes, while Cleveland was shooting 23 for 44 overall and 11 for 23 on threes. 'I try not to ever use the word quit or choke; this is quitting at its finest,' Charles Barkley lamented at halftime on TNT. Colleague Kenny Smith called the Heat's performance 'embarrassing.' The Heat's effort remained delinquent to start the second half, with Cleveland opening the half on a 12-5 run and scoring with minimal resistance. The Heat's effort wasn't acceptable for any game, let alone an opponent's close out game. Cleveland had too many open threes and several uncontested dunks and layups. Cleveland - which led 43-17 after one quarter - outscored the Heat 39-30 in the third quarter, as the lead grew to 48. The Heat will enter the offseason well above the salary cap about $11 million below the luxury tax line, without factoring in any allocations for restricted free agent Mitchell and unrestricted free agent Alec Burks. Cleveland, meanwhile, will go on to play the winner of the Indiana-Milwaukee series, which the Pacers lead 3-1.
