"We could be entering into the last year of LeBron's career" - Dave McMenamin reports on James' contract negotiations with the Lakers

As much as LeBron James wants everyone to believe he can play in the NBA forever, Father Time will forever be undefeated. The reality is that he may not have a lot of years left in his illustrious career. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, James' contract negotiations with the Los Angeles Lakers are not just about money anymore but also about securing his legacy and putting the purple and gold in the best position to hang more championship banners.

Willing to take a paycut

Not long after opting out of the final year of his contract, which was worth $51.4 million, LeBron's agent, Rich Paul, announced that "The King" would be willing to sign a new deal below the maximum to help the Lakers open up the full $12.9 million midlevel exception, which the team could use to bring in a veteran player like proven sharpshooter Klay Thompson.

McMenamin said on NBA Today that Bron could sign a one-plus-one deal, leaving the door open for the 20-time All-Star to leave the game for good after this upcoming season.

"He'll probably sign, maybe, a one-plus-one contract extension, which means we could be in the phase of his career where there's only one year left. We could be entering into the last year of his career if it's a one-plus-one type of contract," McMenamin surmised regarding the options available to the four-time league MVP.

The Lakers have undergone significant changes this offseason, tapping JJ Redick, who has no NBA coaching experience, as their new head coach. The former NBA sniper believes the Purple and Gold have enough talent to make a deep postseason run, and he may be right with the presence of LeBron, many-time All-Star Anthony Davis, and promising wingman Austin Reaves. James' willingness to take a pay cut to help L.A. form a more formidable squad would definitely help their cause.

"This is him putting his money where his mouth is in order to allow the Lakers to try to have some maneuverability to get better," McMenamin relayed. "Like, it's all about getting this roster in a space where they can actually compete for a championship. We heard JJ Redick say at his introductory press conference that he doesn't think this team is so far off, but they actually need to add that talent."

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All Bron needs is a shot

McMenamin added that the four-time Finals MVP once shared with him how all he needs is a legitimate chance at the NBA title, something he has not come close to having since the Lakers won it all at the "Orlando Bubble" in 2020. They made it to the Western Conference Finals in 2023 but were swept by the Denver Nuggets, 4-0.

"Think back to the 2021-22 season, that disastrous year where LeBron, they brought in all those veterans, and it was off from the start," McMenamin narrated, referring to that doomed campaign where the Lakers finished well off the playoff race with a 33-49 mark.

"I remember walking out of the arena with him late in the year when it was clear he was going to miss the playoffs, and he's like, 'I'm obsessed with winning. I just want another chance to get there,'" the longtime ESPN reporter remarked.

LeBron may be approaching the twilight of his career, but he still has some juice left. What the Lakers' front office does to surround him with talent will be critical in their championship aspirations. With teams like the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Clippers looming as legitimate threats in the Western Conference, it won't be an easy road for James and the Purple and Gold.

Related: Adrian Wojnarowski says the Lakers are in play for Klay Thompson: "I'm told LeBron James called Klay Thompson right when free agency opened"