There has been widespread speculation that the Miami Heat wanted to bring back guard Davion Mitchell, nearly five months after acquiring him from the Toronto Raptors in the five-team Jimmy Butler blockbuster ahead of February’s deadline.
They did the first necessary step Tuesday, extending an $8.7 million qualifying offer to him, thus making him a restricted free agent, according to multiple reports.
Miami also extended a two-way qualifying offer to guard Dru Smith, who’s coming off his second consecutive season-ending injury.
Mitchell, 26, blossomed with the Heat in 30 games. He averaged 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 50.4 percent from the floor and 44.7 percent from 3-point range across 31.6 minutes per game. In the postseason, where the Heat were mercifully swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers, you could argue that Mitchell was the Heat’s lone bright spot, averaging 15.0 points and 6.3 assists.
He was able to earn an $8.7 million qualifying offer because he met “starter criteria,” eclipsing 2,000 minutes for the first time in his career this season. Qualifying offers for first-round picks are determined based on their draft slot, though the amount varies if starter criteria isn’t met for an impending restricted free agent.
Should he sign said qualifying offer, the $8.7 million would act as a one-year contract, where Mitchell would enter unrestricted free agency the following offseason. Most players don’t accept them.
As a restricted free agent, the Heat have the ability to match any offer sheet from another team within 48 hours.
In a perfect world, the Heat would be able to re-sign Mitchell at an inexpensive price, but we both know that’s not how the world works. I predict Mitchell re-signs anywhere from $10-12 million per year, but we will see what his market ultimately ends up being and how far Miami will be willing to go.
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One full year in Heat jersey for Davion and we’ll see how it goes.
My gut feel…Heat makes some “minor” trades coz other teams doesn’t want the offer from Pat for their star player. We go through next season with same core maybe minus Wiggs. But my gut could be wrong. Specially when it gets acidic lol
A good first step. He is a player I enjoy watching. I really look forward to seeing him in training camp and a full season. Definitely a Heat guy.