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 can match any offer sheet from another team within 36 hours if it’s sent by noon EST.
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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The Miami Heat missed out on Durant and have legitimate Jonathan Kuminga interest, per league sources, among others expected to explore the idea as the market materializes. The Brooklyn Nets loom as a possible offer sheet team, but did use a chunk of their cap space in a Tuesday night trade.
– via New York Times
I read the Nets are not interested and they are the only team with cap space to sign him directly. All other teams must do a sign and trade.
looking at nba for next year u can say the 8 best teams are in the west.the east is wide open .u add derozan carter monk to bam ware mitch keshad drew u have a chance to get out of the east,
If Niko stays healthy, and JJJ goes back to rookie year form, that team would be scrappy and fun in the east.
jjj will not be on team next year along with terry wiggy dunc
No scenario where all 4 are gone. Terry as an expiring, and Duncan with only a partial guarantee, I could see being used for a trade. I know the team wants to trade Wiggins, but all four gone would be surprising. Plus, I think they keep JJJ as they still believe in him getting back to rookie season form.
Bam may be the heart and soul of the Heat, but Mitchell is the energy, spirit and excitement. Our version of a McConnell/Caruso hybrid. I would like to see Mitchell and Carter sharing PG duties, with Smith waiting in the wings.
Any hopes of building a competitive team would include Davion. Hopefully Dru Smith will have recovered sometime soon. By extending his two way, I hope it indicates he is on the mend. If that happened, point guard would be reasonably solid.
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.
Full training camp with Spo and Co, too. He will be a consistent contributor since he can still play D when his shot isn’t going in.