Are Heat players recruiting Donovan Mitchell?

Many people believe that LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh hatched their idea to play together during the 2008 Beijing Olympic run — despite repeated denials from the players. But now with all NBA players together instead of scattered throughout North America, could another plan be in the works?

The Athletic’s Joe Vardon reported that Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell “compared notes on wine with Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder.” Mitchell and Crowder spent time together as teammates in Utah.

Also, the 5 Reasons Sports Network added that Miami’s two All-Stars, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, have also hung out with Mitchell. The Jazz drafted Mitchell just one spot ahead of where the Heat picked Adebayo.

It is also worth mentioning that Mitchell said in 2018 that he wanted LeBron James to go to Miami in 2010 to get a ring. The third-year guard is also close to Dwyane Wade, and it’s no secret that Wade recruited Butler to Miami.

Now, the process of Mitchell getting to Miami would be difficult. Like Adebayo, Mitchell is on his rookie-scale contract through 2020-21. Utah will undoubtedly offer him a contract extension. But even if he refuses to sign an extension, he would only enter restricted free agency in 2021, which allows the Jazz to match any outside offer Mitchell signs.

The most realistic scenario would therefore be a trade. And as I wrote about a potential deal for Bradley Beal, Tyler Herro would need to go in a such a trade. And the Jazz would ask for more.

It seems hard to envision a way for Mitchell to wind up on the Heat anytime soon. But let’s not forget that Pat Riley said, “There’s no obstacles” in June 2019, just before he pulled off the sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler.