Donovan Mitchell and Cavs agree on $273 million max extension with LeBron watching

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/brown-jaylen/l88NjhUb/"]Austin Brown[/a] told ESPN that [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mitchell-donovan/hhFqipLe/"]Mitchell[/a] could have waited until next year and added another year and $80 million to his deal but wanted to commit to a long-term deal as soon as possible.[/p][p]Mitchell's contract includes a player option for the 2030-31 campaign, according to the report.[/p][p]Mitchell, who joined the Cavs in a 2022 off-season trade from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/utah-jazz/hGuCX5Su/"]Utah[/a], said after being eliminated from the playoffs in May by the eventual champion [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-york-knicks/WCNO4nbt/"]New York Knicks[/a] that he had "unfinished business" trying to bring another NBA crown to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cleveland-cavaliers/xGk13Tb6/"]Cleveland[/a].[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/james-lebron/nuIVxFJk/"]James[/a] led the Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA title after winning two titles with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/miami-heat/CQ7AXnT5/"]Miami[/a] after leaving the Cavaliers in 2010. He left again for the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/los-angeles-lakers/ngegZ8bg/"]Los Angeles Lakers[/a] in 2018 and won a title with them in 2020.[/p][embed guid="cea78721-5230-43f5-a931-288abd9fe8d0" url="https://x.com/esidery/status/2074485370176123240?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, however, is a free agent and has said he will not return to the Lakers, with his hometown Cavaliers, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/philadelphia-76ers/vwRW2QSh/"]Philadelphia[/a], Miami and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/golden-state-warriors/SxUtXqch/"]Golden State[/a] among those listed as favourites as landing spots for the 41-year-old forward.[/p][p]Mitchell, a 29-year-old guard preparing for his 10th NBA season, averaged 27.9 points, 5.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals a game last season, when the Cavs reached the Eastern Conference finals before being swept 4-0 by New York.[/p][p]The Cavaliers have reached the playoffs each of the past four seasons with Mitchell on the club after missing the post-season the four prior campaigns.[/p][p]With Mitchell around for the long term and center [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mobley-evan/SrZZLQHj/"]Evan Mobley[/a] a solid pillar, the Cavs have what it takes to potentially lure James back to his hometown for another run at a title.[/p]