The Miami Heat acquired Davion Mitchell from the Toronto Raptors before the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline.
Mitchell brought elite on-ball defense, versatile playmaking and reliable three-point shooting to the Heat.
He instantly fit into the Heat culture and put up some of the best numbers of his career.
In 30 games played with the Heat, Mitchell averaged 10.3 points and 5.3 assists on a blistering 50.4 percent shooting from the field and 44.7 percent shooting from deep.
Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty ImagesErik Spoelstra told Davion Mitchell he ‘wasn’t playing hard enough’
With Tyler Herro having ankle surgery and set to miss at least eight weeks to begin the new season, this will give Mitchell an opportunity to step in and thrive as the Heat’s starting point guard.
Mitchell will need to be the primary playmaker on offense with Herro out of the lineup.
Mitchell talked about playing for head coach Erik Spoelstra and how it took time for them to click on The HEAT Podcast Network.
“He felt like I wasn’t playing hard enough and I needed it because no one’s ever told me that before.
“He challenged me and I needed it.
“So after that, we just kind of clicked. For sure.”
The Miami Heat’s outlook for the 2025-26 NBA season
The Heat are expected to be a middle of the pack team even when Herro returns.
His absence to begin the season could hurt Miami’s chances of maintaining a good spot in the standings.
However, the Heat have not shown that they are willing to rebuild and pack it in.
The Heat do have young stars, but they have the right veterans around them. Not only did they acquire Mitchell, but they also made a trade during the offseason to bring in Norman Powell.
At full strength, the Heat could make things interesting and perhaps could even surprise people in a wide-open Eastern Conference.