How LeBron James is Impacted by Donovan Mitchell's Max Contract amid Latest Cavs Rumors

The Cleveland Cavaliers rewarded star guard Donovan Mitchell with a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension on Tuesday, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

According to Spotrac, the Cavs were $20.5 million below the first tax threshold, so they still could have enough room to try to sign star forward LeBron James.

NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported over the weekend that a return to Cleveland for James "is looking more and more like the scenario to beat."

Charania noted that Mitchell could have waited until next summer to sign a contract extension, which would've added a fifth year and $80 million to his deal. Charania added that the 29-year-old "has played a significant part in the Cavaliers' conversations to improve the roster, and [has been] supportive of the front office, and that has continued this summer." It sounds like Mitchell could have a say in Cleveland's pursuit of James and other big-name players.

James is testing free agency after spending the last eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. His agent, Rich Paul, revealed during Friday's episode of his Game Over podcast that the 41-year-old is considering multiple options, naming the Cavs, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs as potential landing spots.

James started his legendary career in Cleveland in 2003. The Akron, Ohio, native brought his hometown team its first NBA championship in 2016. Returning home for his 24th NBA season could be a poetic way to set up his final chapter in the league. The Cavs also have a strong core led by Mitchell, so joining them could give James a shot at winning his fifth career championship ring.

During Monday's episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that there's still a lack of clarity over James' impending decision.

"Last I heard, the teams are kind of in the dark, all kind of waiting," Windhorst said. "And they weren't hearing anything and so they just were like, 'Well, maybe it's Cleveland.' But I don't know if anyone is hearing anything."