Miami Heat point guard Davion Mitchell turned the first game of the Play-In Tournament into a personal proving ground. He went off to the tune of 28 points, six assists, four rebounds, and two steals on 12-of-24 shooting from the field and a 4-of-9 mark from beyond the arc.
Though Miami lost 127-126 to the Charlotte Hornets in an instant classic, Mitchell showed the Los Angeles Lakers exactly what they need: An athletic two-way player at point guard.
The Lakers have an elite starting backcourt with point guard Luka Doncic and shooting guard Austin Reaves. As such, the need for backcourt talent isn't necessarily one that requires a player to be able to regularly produce the type of performance that Mitchell managed against Charlotte.
What Mitchell established, however, is the unavoidable value of having a player who can provide both lockdown defense and occasionally explosive scoring performances when a team's back is against the wall.
Doncic and Reaves are sensational offensive players, but they lack the on-ball defensive proficiency to check that essential box. Moreover, the depth at guard behind that star duo is virtually nonexistent in regard to reliable contributions when they're off the court—let alone alongside them.
Though Miami is unlikely to let Mitchell in specific go anywhere this summer, the Lakers must make an effort to strengthen the depth at guard with a player who fits his mold.
Lakers need an athletic guard who can defend and create offense
Los Angeles' current depth chart sees Doncic and Reaves in the starting lineup, with Bronny James, Marcus Smart, and Nick Smith Jr. behind them. Smart has started many games alongside Doncic and Reaves, with his defensive quality aligning with what Mitchell can provide.
The difference between Mitchell and Smart is most evident on the offensive end of the floor, where their primary strengths simply differ.
Smart is a capable playmaker and ball handler who has helped diversify the Lakers' offense when it becomes too predictable. He's less of a downhill player at this stage of his career, however, and shot just 33.1 percent from beyond the arc during the regular season.
Mitchell, meanwhile, shot 39.5 percent from beyond the arc in 2025-26, which allowed him to play both with and without the ball in his hands. Unfortunately, the Lakers lack such a talent at guard at this juncture.
Thankfully, the Lakers will have an opportunity to make roster improvements in free agency and at the 2026 NBA Draft. During that time, they may find the type of developable or even ready-made talent to step in and alleviate pressure from the stars on both ends of the floor.
If they fail to land the athletic two-way guard they need, however, then a void will remain that may ultimately overburden the stars in a postseason setting.
Add us as a preferred source on Google