Another trade has occurred during the NBA’s chaotic deadline period. The Toronto Raptors are sending Davion Mitchell to the Miami Heat in exchange for PJ Tucker, a second-round draft pick, and cash. The Raptors and Heat have already been part of multiple trades during this period, and so has Tucker. He has been dealt in trades throughout the deadline, sending him to Miami, only to be immediately flipped to Toronto. Meanwhile, Mitchell is a young defensive guard who should fit well into the Heat’s new core in the post-Jimmy Butler era.
The Heat Land Davion Mitchell
Mitchell is a 26-year-old guard averaging 6.3 points per game. Those scoring numbers are not high, but Mitchell shoots 35.9% from three and is a good defender. The Heat have taken on players like him in the past and helped them develop into great players. Erik Spoelstra is one of the best coaches in the NBA and has taken Miami as far as the NBA Finals with a roster full of undrafted, young, developing players and Jimmy Butler. Players like Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, and Duncan Robinson have made fruitful careers out of their time with the Heat. Chalk it up to Miam’s culture or Spoelstra’s schemes, but they get great output from players like Mitchell.
Miami made this trade with the acquisitions they got in the Butler deal. Butler was sent to the Golden State Warriors in a blockbuster trade. The Warriors sent Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Dennis Schroder, and a protected first-round draft pick to Miami. The Heat proceeded to flip Schroder to the Utah Jazz for Tucker, who was traded to the Jazz not long before that. Then, Tucker was sent to the Raptors with a second-round draft pick and cash for Mitchell. It was a good move for the Heat, who did not have to give up much for a good, young player.
The Toronto Raptors Outlook
The Raptors received Tucker, who is a solid veteran. He has done his rounds in the NBA, bouncing from team to team. He has had small stints with Toronto before and won a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. Then, he went to the Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers. At 39 years old, Tucker has carved out a role as a veteran on contending teams. He can defend and shoot the occasional corner three. Now, he is back with the Raptors, likely to play a veteran role off the bench.
But Tucker’s season has not gone well. He averages 2 points per game and has been traded multiple times. He got little playing time for the Los Angeles Clippers, so he was traded to the Jazz. Now, after a series of moves, he’s on the Raptors. Toronto has made an interesting move this deadline, acquiring Brandon Ingram.
They are a young team currently out of the playoffs, but these moves have added veterans and “win now” players. It has confused many on the timeline of the team and organization. Adding a former All-Star like Ingram alongside Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett is one thing, but trading away one of your young, 3-and-D players for a 39-year-old Tucker is perplexing. Toronto could be aiming for a play-in push, with the 76ers dealing with injuries and the Bulls trading away Zach Lavine, but trading Mitchell for Tucker and minimal assets does not move the needle.
Final Thoughts
This trade looks like a good deal for the Heat. They get Davion Mitchell by only giving up PJ Tucker, a second-round pick, and cash. Tucker didn’t play a game for Miami, so there is little risk for them in the deal. The Raptors get a veteran in Tucker and could make something of the second-round pick.
