Miami Heat Eliminated By All-Star They Once Believed They Could Acquire

Apr 28, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles the basketball as Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) defends in the second quarter during game four for the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

With the Miami Heat's season ending in downright disgraceful fashion last night, they found themselves being demolished by the Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell.

Mitchell, a 28 year-old six-time All-Star, averaged 24 points, four assists, three rebounds and 1.5 steals in just 31 minutes per game during the Cavaliers' historically lopsided sweep. The Cavaliers outscored the Heat by 92 combined points in the final two games of the series in Miami.

According to HoopsWire's Ashish Mathur, some members of the Heat believed Mitchell would request a trade to the Heat after the Cavaliers were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in a five-game second round series last season.

Source: Some Members Of Heat Thought Donovan Mitchell Would Request Trade To Miami After Cavs Lost To Celtics In 2024 Playoffs https://t.co/WPbYZahlfG

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) April 29, 2025

Previously, the Heat were intrigued by Donovan Mitchell in the 2022 offseason before the Utah Jazz eventually traded him to the Cavaliers.

Last summer, the Heat's interest in Mitchell came back up, as many around the league wondered if Mitchell would re-sign with the Cavaliers after two under-performing seasons and disheartening Playoff losses to conference rivals. Mitchell, of course, signed a three-year $150.3 million extension with the Cavaliers shortly thereafter.

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Alexander Toledo is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI and producer/co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast, covering the Heat and NBA. He can be reached at toledoalexander22@gmail.com. Twitter: @tropicalblanket

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Jimmy Butler Appears To Direct Shot Toward Miami Heat After Victory

After the Golden State Warriors' pivotal Game 4 win on Monday, former Heat star Jimmy Butler was asked about his experience with his new teammates.

He made sure the national TV audience heard what he had to say. On the same day, the Heat were eliminated, the Warriors grabbed a 3-1 series lead against the Houston Rockets.

"It means the world. I would die for these guys," Butler said. "It's so fun. I got my joy back as some would say."

Of course, Butler kicked off the public midseason debacle earlier this year when he told media members that he wants to see himself "get his joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be." After the Heat traded him to the Warriors, Butler then went on to say "I know that I have my joy back now" in the introductory press conference.

The Warriors, now up 3-1 as the seventh seed in their first round series against the Houston Rockets, have won at a 66-win rate when Butler, Steph Curry and Draymond Green have played together. Butler, averaging 18 points six assists, six rebounds and two steals with Golden State, put up 27 points, six assists, five rebounds and a block in the Warriors' crucial win.