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Rich Paul: LeBron had 'productive' extension talks with Lakers

Lauren Bacho / National Basketball Association / Getty

LeBron James' career could have a Hollywood ending.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar and his agent Rich Paul met with vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka on Thursday regarding a potential contract extension, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Paul described the conversation as "productive" and said both sides will continue to talk, according to McMenamin.

James became eligible for an extension as of midnight Thursday. The four-time Finals MVP can ink a one-year, $47-million extension or a two-year extension worth $97.1 million. He has until June 30, 2023, to sign either deal.

The NBA's collective bargaining agreement allows players age 38 or older to sign a max contract length of two years.

James is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The 37-year-old didn't rule out a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers during the NBA's All-Star Weekend in February.

"The door's not closed on that," he told The Athletic's Jason Lloyd earlier this year. "I'm not saying I'm coming back and playing, I don't know. I don't know what my future holds. I don't even know when I’m free."

James averaged 30.3 points on 52.4% shooting over 56 appearances last season. The 18-time All-Star has struggled to stay healthy throughout his Lakers tenure. He last played a full 82-game regular-season schedule in 2017-18.

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