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Surprise Heat Standout Addresses Upcoming Free Agency

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Quenton S Albertie | Last updated Apr 30, 2025 11:59 PM ET

On the heels of a humbling season, the Miami Heat will have one of the most closely watched summers of any team.

Right now, the biggest question is likely how they acquire a true No. 1 option. Neither an evolved Tyler Herro, a plateaued Andrew Wiggins, nor the esteemed Bam Adebayo adequately replaced the departed Jimmy Butler. With that in mind, expect the Heat to be among the many suitors for Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant.

In the meantime, Miami will be able to add at least one young player, as they hold the 20th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Given their status as a perennial playoff contender, they likely prefer to get an established talent. Nevertheless, the first-rounder they have in the upcoming draft was part of the package they received from the Golden State Warriors for Butler. For that reason alone, the way the Heat make use of it will matter.

Heat’s Davion Mitchell Addresses Upcoming Free Agency

After the draft, Miami a handful of contract decisions to make this offseason. Alec Burks and Davion Mitchell are slated to become unrestricted free agents. There are team options on Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Keshad Johnson.

Among those players, Jovic and Jaquez are essentially locks to return. Burks, Mitchell, and Johnson could all be on the roster next season as well, but there are no guarantees. Mitchell’s future is really a riddle, as he’s the only one who wouldn’t be on a minimum or rookie-scale contract.

For what it’s worth, Mitchell sounds open to a return. “I don’t know what the future holds,” he tells reporters (h/t Brady Hawk of Five Reasons Sports. “…I had an amazing time here. Love all my teammates.”

Davion Mitchell:

“I don’t know what the future holds. I’m not going to get into that, but I had an amazing time here. Love all my teammates.” pic.twitter.com/SlrxejZlgC

— Brady Hawk (@BradyHawk305) April 30, 2025

Yet, because Mitchell was arguably playing better than he ever had, his contract negotiations could get complicated.

What’s His Value?

For his career, he averages 7.6 points, 3.3 assists and 0.6 steals per contest, with .442-.344-.698 shooting splits (301 games). During his time with the Sacramento Kings, he averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 assists and 0.5 steals per contest, with .434-.327-.703 shooting splits (227 games). During his time with the Toronto Raptors, he averaged 6.3 points, 4.6 assists and 0.7 steals per contest, with .434-.359-.676 shooting splits (44 games).

In 30 regular season appearances with the Heat, Mitchell posted 10.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest. In that time, he shot 50.4 percent from the field and 44.7 percent from 3. Then, in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, he averaged 15.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. He remained efficient, shooting 61.0 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from 3.

From the time he entered the league, Mitchell’s scouting report has been the same. He’s an alert and agile on-ball defender with exceptional anticipation skills. Offensively, he’s more of a playmaker than a shot-maker. If his play with the Heat is any indication though, Mitchell has taken a step forward as a player.

He’s no longer a defensive menace and borderline offensive liability. He’s a two-end player that consistently makes winning plays. More than that, he’s a starter, especially on a Heat team that hasn’t known what to do at point guard.

As the Heat have Mitchell’s Bird Rights, there’s no question that they can pay him more than any team. However, they’ve shown a reluctance to overpay. The absence of Butler makes them seem a little desperate these days, but will they let Mitchell wipe their tears with $100 dollar bills?

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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