The Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell could be near a maximum contract extension that would follow the hiring of Kenny Atkinson as new coach and help stabilize the team’s offseason.
Mitchell was not involved in the Atkinson hire or coaching search but did sign off on the decision, sources told Hoops Wire.
Mitchell was also expected to agree to the max contract extension even before Atkinson was hired, sources added.
“While working toward hiring Atkinson, the team’s executives are set to present a four-year, $209 million maximum contract to Mitchell,” wrote Shams Charania, Jason Lloyd and Joe Vardon of the Athletic. “Atkinson is an offensive-minded coach who values ball movement and diversity in his attack — things Mitchell craves.”
Mitchell’s new deal with the Cavaliers could have a player option in the final season, as we relayed here. It may not, too, sources said.
Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists this season while shooting 46.2% from the field, 36.8% on 3-pointers and 86.5% from the free-throw line this past season.
A New York native, he carries career averages of 24.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists with the Jazz and Cavs. He scored a career-high 71 points in 2023-24 against the Chicago Bulls.
The Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs in seven games but lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in five games. Mitchell didn’t play in Games 4 and 5 of the Celtics series due to an injury.
Their next order of business is the NBA Draft, which takes place Wednesday. The Cavaliers own the No. 20 overall pick. The second round will be held the next day, though Cleveland does not have a selection.
(Ashish Mathur contributed to this report.)
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