Davion Mitchell has slowly transformed into the perfect role player for the Miami Heat, and he's absolutely thriving in Erik Spoelstra's new offensive system. Without Mitchell, the Heat would be an absolute mess at the point guard position.
Which makes it all the more head-scratching that, looking back, the acquisition of Mitchell was almost a forgotten move by the Heat. At last year's NBA Trade Deadline, the Heat traded PJ Tucker, a second-round pick, and cash to the Toronto Raptors for Mitchell. That's it.
But considering most of the attention revolved around the Heat's decision to trade Jimmy Butler, it's easy to see why many overlooked the move for Mitchell. Nevertheless, it's worked out quite swimmingly for both Mitchell and the Heat.
Davion Mitchell is everything the Heat had been looking for
In his short time with the Heat, there's an argument to make that Mitchell has been everything the team has been looking for in a point guard. Sure, he's not the perfect play with the ideal measurements.
He's smaller than most starting point guards in the league and may not have the playmaking prowess of some of the elite players at the position, but he's managed to hold his own - and then some for the Heat this season.
Perhaps most importantly, it's his contributions on the defensive end of the floor that may be making the most impact for the Heat. Mitchell has quickly emerged as Miami's primary point of attack defender, something the Heat has been desperately lacking over the years.
But Mitchell has filled that role almost perfectly.
Even then, he's also been a better offensive player than perhaps most believed he could be. During his time in Miami, he's been the most efficient offensive player that he's been at any point in his career. Mitchell is averaging 10 points per game on 52 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from deep.
He's also better than most give him credit for with the ball in his hands.
He may not have the playmaking ability of a Trae Young or Luka Doncic, but he's still averaging nearly eight assists per game. Doing so while averaging less than two turnovers per contest is nothing to scoff at.
For what the Heat has needed from a point guard, Mitchell has been the perfect answer. And, in the process, he's also emerged as the ideal role player for a Heat team that continues to be one of the biggest surprises in the Eastern Conference.