NBA insiders say Miami Heat ‘high’ on Donovan Mitchell’s list

Donovan Mitchell has plenty going on right now, like evening the Cleveland Cavaliers’ series against the Boston Celtics, but those around the league expect his offseason to be just as eventful.

No matter how this postseason plays out, Mitchell is expected to decline his $37.1 million player option for 2025-26 to enter free agency. Rather than lose Mitchell for nothing, the Cavaliers could explore Mitchell’s trade market and retool around their current core.

According to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, “multiple NBA insiders” believe Mitchell has “Miami high on his list of destinations.”

"Of all the NBA guards, Mitchell may be the closest to Heat legend and Hall-of-Famer Dwyane Wade. He will be 28 before next season (seven years younger than Butler). He has a strong relationship with Bam Adebayo and is said (by multiple NBA insiders) to have Miami high on his list of destinations."

"Mitchell is expected to decline his $37.1 million player option for 2025-26 to explore free agency. As part of a trade, the Heat and the player would come to terms on his next contract—which isn't technically legal, but it's common practice behind the scenes."

Mitchell is a New Yorker, so there’s a natural connection to the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, as well. But it’s difficult to envision the Knicks using their assets on another ball-dominate guard when they’ve had so much success with Jalen Brunson. The Nets, meanwhile, hardly have the assets needed to acquire Mitchell without completely gutting their team.

Pincus proposes a massive, four-team trade that would send Mitchell to Miami. Read our thoughts on the scenario here.

But if the Heat are indeed high on Mitchell’s list (and there’s no reason to expect they aren’t, given Mitchell’s relationship with Adebayo, appreciation for Dwyane Wade and the fact that he spends summers in Miami, including participation in the annual Miami Pro-Am”) then the front office should do what they can to acquire the All-Star scorer. 

Mitchell, who recently scored 50 points in a playoff game and is averaging 29.2 points in these playoffs, would help lift Miami’s beleaguered offense and fit Adebayo’s timeline. 

The Heat should have Mitchell high on their list, too.