Davion Mitchell has been the perfect player for the Miami Heat's new and improved offense, and the overlooked trade for him at last year's NBA Trade Deadline just continues to look better and better.
Through the first seven games of the season, Mitchell is averaging nine points, seven assists, and three rebounds per game on 44 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range. Perhaps equally as important, Mitchell has given the Heat that point of attack defender that they've long desired to control the top of their defense.
Despite his strong play for the Heat, in which he's on track for a career year in playmaking and efficiency, he may not get the headlines. However, there's no question that he's been a huge steal for this franchise as they build for the future.
Davion Mitchell was a forgotten addition
Technically speaking, Mitchell was acquired by the Heat from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for P.J. Tucker, a second-round pick, and cash at the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline. However, Tucker was acquired by the Heat as part of the Jimmy Butler three-team deal from the LA Clippers.
Looking back, it's easy to lump the move for Mitchell in that original Jimmy trade. Either way, no matter how you categorize it, this is a move that continues to look like more and more of a win for the Heat.
And as Miami begins to get healthier, it will be interesting to see how Mitchell's role is going to continue to evolve. At this point, especially with how consistent Mitchell has been on both ends of the floor, I have a hard time imagining that he's going to be relegated to a bench role even with Tyler Herro's return.
That means the Heat will either play much smaller by starting both Herro and Norman Powell on the wing, or move one of them to the bench. I just don't think Heat head coach will want to mess with the momentum that Mitchell has built with the starting unit.
Fresh off a new contract extension, Mitchell is proving that he's a worthy starting point guard in the Association. Those prior concerns are a big part of the reason why the Heat were able to get him for pennies on the dollar.
Now, Mitchell looks like a mainstay for the future of this franchise.
What the Heat has to love about Mitchell is that, if nothing else, they know they're going to get a player who will compete when he's on the floor. And with the volatility of the modern player, that's a luxury that can't be overstated.
Mitchell has been a blessing at the point guard position for the Heat, and he still may not even have hit his ceiling yet as a player.