Reigning NBA coach of the year Sam Mitchell made his most definitive statement yet about his future while he was a guest on ESPN before the playoff match-up between the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons Thursday night.

"I expect to be back in Toronto; it's a great fit for me," Mitchell said. "I know the players, Bryan Colangelo and I work well together, we understand each other. Right now we're in the process of negotiating a deal and hopefully we'll have something for next week."

According to NBA sources, talks between Raptors president Colangelo and Mitchell's agent Lonnie Cooper have been progressing well this week.

It's believed Mitchell and his representatives have the framework of a deal, including salary and length of term.

"Things are trending positively," one source close to both parties said.