Another leap from this Heat guard could be the boost they need

One of the most underrated rotation pieces to this revamped Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Miami Heat team is Davion Mitchell. And he’s primed for another leap in his game.

Mitchell was acquired by Miami in the aftermath of the Jimmy Butler trade back at the 2024 trade deadline. He is coming off his first full season with the Heat last year, in which he averaged 9.3 points, a career-high 6.5 assists and one steal per game on efficient 49% shooting and nearly 40% from 3-point range. He appeared in 70 games and was the starting point guard for each of them, averaging over 28 minutes of playing time per game.

He has been healthy, reliable and consistent as a key lineup piece under coach Erik Spoelstra ever since his trade arrival. Last year, he especially flourished as the “head of the snake” in running the teams offense— and remained with the starters even when both Tyler Herro and Norman Powell were available.

Mitchell has quickly developed into a fan and coaching favorite of Spoelstra’s with his tenacious point of attack defense on the perimeter. His continuously growing offensive game makes him a candidate to keep developing as a core rotation piece in Miami’s system.

Davion Mitchell has been putting in the work this offseason

There has been arguably no Heat player that has put in more offseason work than Mitchell this summer, at least publicly.

Mitchell has been documenting his training regimen regularly across his Instagram account feed and stories— including daily weight lifting, cardio, and hooping sessions. Additionally, he met up with Antetokounmpo in Greece to get training session’s in with the new Heat superstar.

Davion Mitchell on his offseason work:

“I’m just trying to be the best player I can be… I’m just going to go out there and get better. Obviously, trying to build a chemistry with Giannis… Building chemistry with Bam… just trying to be the best teammate I can be for them.”… pic.twitter.com/vrxgbjrAx0
— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) August 6, 2026

Mitchell is notoriously known for traveling everywhere while holding a basketball. The commitment to his craft has been undeniable, and the Heat are happy to have him. The 27-year-old guard is entering the second season of a team friendly two-year $11 million deal that he signed with Miami last summer.

If he takes another leap in his game, it could do wonders to this Heat team’s depth.

He has the exact mold— the gritty defensive chops, 3-point shot making ability, increased playmaking— similarly to Jrue Holiday. Of course, Antetokounmpo won a championship with Holiday and that exact skill set at the starting point guard position with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.