As I track the performance of former Raptors players across the league during this playoff atmosphere, one of the biggest surprises for me is undoubtedly the blossoming play of Miami Heat guard, Davion Mitchell.
As Raptors fans know, Mitchell joined Toronto last summer in a puzzling deal that primarily helped Sacramento shed some salary. Little did they expect that Mitchell would not only prove to be a reliable backup guard, but that the trade would also yield a valuable building block for the future in second-round pick Jamal Shead.
The debate surrounding the backup guard role between Mitchell and Shead is what put the Raptors tenure of the man known as "Off-Night" in jeopardy. With Mitchell slated for a contract extension this offseason and Shead demonstrating the ability to perform effectively in a comparable role, would Toronto be forced to part ways with the 26-year-old who had turned over a new leaf under the Darko Rajakovic system?
At the 2025 NBA trade deadline, those questions were finally answered when the team traded Davion Mitchell to the Miami Heat in exchange for the expiring contract of PJ Tucker (who was later waived) and a heavily protected second-round pick.
As much as I would have loved to see Mitchell stay in Toronto, I understood why Masai Ujiri and the front office felt compelled to make this move. With so many guards on the roster, it was clear that there were too many cooks in the kitchen for Mitchell to truly thrive with the Raptors. Ultimately, it was best for him to find a new environment where his talents could flourish.
That's exactly why I thought Miami was the perfect place for Mitchell to take his improved self and continue to make a name for himself. We're talking about a guy who was largely given up on in Sacramento, despite being a superb guard defender.
It was largely because his offense couldn't hold a candle to the tremendous efforts he displayed on the defensive end, but with his reps spent in Toronto, Mitchell showed that he could shoot at the right spots, and on the Heat, that skill has only gotten better.
Mitchell played 30 games with the Heat following the trade deadline, finishing with an impressive three-point percentage of 44.7%. Miami might have been one of the worst teams in the entire NBA post-trade deadline, but none of that blame could be placed on the efforts of Davion Mitchell; he had arguably quietly become one of the Heat's most impactful players.
Davion Mitchell has become an important piece to the Miami Heat
Take his last two outings for the Heat as a prime example. As the Heat faced off against the Atlanta Hawks in a do-or-die play-in matchup on April 18, who emerged as Miami's driving force, propelling them to victory? Well, Davion Mitchell, of course. Mitchell caught fire from distance, going 4-for-9 from deep and finishing with 16 points, five assists, and three rebounds in that crucial game.
Next, the Heat would embark on their first-round series against the almighty Cavaliers. While Miami would falter in Game 1 on April 20, Mitchell's efforts were certainly a highlight: 18 points on an efficient 8-for-12 shooting from the field, along with nine assists, four rebounds, and one steal.
I don't know how far the Heat can go in the playoffs, especially with a tall task ahead against the heavily favored Cleveland Cavaliers. But one thing is for sure in my eyes: Mitchell will go out there and do his best to dawg-walk his opposition to the best of his abilities.
His defense has always been his strongest suit, and with an improved three-point shot that opposing squads have to take seriously, he has truly carved out a role that could keep him as a key member of the Miami Heat roster for years to come.
Mitchell is definitely a "Heat Culture" guy in every sense, and now he's poised to see his efforts rewarded with a lengthy contract extension, whether in Miami or elsewhere.