There is speculation, even if it is speculative at this stage, that the Miami Heat will make a deal in the coming weeks, maybe for a big-time star player. With one major NBA trade already completed—this week’s Raptors-Knicks blockbuster—the Heat may face some pressure as the rest of the Eastern Conference upgrades. That is why the potential of a Donovan Mitchell trade to Miami remains a possibility.
According to Bleacher Report, Mitchell is the Heat’s top trade target, since he can immediately improve the team’s depleted backcourt and provide a third scorer to assist shoulder the offensive load.
“The Heat have yet to pivot since losing this summer’s Damian Lillard sweepstakes, but they could still be in the market for a high-end shot-creator,” Zach Buckley of B/R said. If the Cavs ever want to trade Donovan Mitchell, they might not be able to find more youthful talent than Miami, presuming the Heat are ready to part with all three of Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Nikola Jovi.”
Donovan Mitchell Trade Would Be Costly
As with every Heat rumor, it’s rather simple to find flaws in a Donovan Mitchell deal. For one reason, the Heat have consistently stated that they are content with what they have and are not eager to make changes.
Another reason is that, while the Miami Heat are a luxury-tax-paying organization this year, they want to limit future financial commitments as new, more stringent CBA rules take effect. Mitchell is in the third year of a five-year, $163 million contract that includes a player option for the following season.
If the Cavs were to ask the Miami Heat for Herro, Jaquez, and Jovic in exchange for Mitchell, we can almost guarantee that Pat Riley would hang up the phone laughing. Mitchell is a marginally better player than Herro. The scoring is there (27.9 points for Mitchell, 23.4 for Herro), but Herro is a stronger 3-point shooter who has also—and this may surprise those who don’t follow the Heat—improved on the defensive end.
And Jaquez on top of that? He is a rookie who has swiftly established himself as the fourth-most essential player on the team. Riley’s approval would be difficult to conceive.
Miami Heat Could Build Deal Around Kyle Lowry
If the Miami Heat were to entertain a deal for Donovan Mitchell, it would have to begin with Kyle Lowry and end with the young assets Cleveland requires. Sure, Jovic. Two first-round selections? OK. The question then becomes if the Heat are willing to part ways with Jaquez in order to complete a transaction. However, that is most likely the best package the Heat would offer: Lowry, Jaquez, Jovic, and two first-round picks.
That may not be enough to entice Mitchell away from the Cavaliers, given that they gave up Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, three first-round selections, and two pick swaps to acquire him.
Indeed, there is some debate in the league about whether the Cavs have much incentive to sell Mitchell. There’s a good chance the team won’t be able to re-sign him when he hits free agency, but new and more stringent contract regulations are on the way, which might limit the market for a player like Mitchell. Given the assets they gave up, the Cavs could be better off waiting it out and re-signing Mitchell once he realizes the market is restricted.
Donovan Mitchell to the Miami Heat has a good ring to it. But when you look at the details, it’s difficult to understand how it will come to fruition.
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