The question of ‘What will LeBron James do next?’ is perhaps the biggest storyline surrounding the upcoming NBA season, let alone the future of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Entering his 23rd season, James has the possibility to sign a new deal with the Lakers, sign with a new team, or retire from basketball, but nobody knows which option he’ll pick. In what was seemingly a teaser for his future plans, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer recently dropped a trailer for what was called ‘The Second Decision‘.
Many fans thought the 21-time All-Star would announce his retirement or plans to move teams, like he did with ‘The Decision’ in 2010, publicly declaring his arrival to the Miami Heat. While the outcome was just a brand deal with Hennessy, the short-lived impact of the teaser video had wide-ranging damage.
Most recently, it was reported that a fan is suing James in a small claims court for “fraud, deception, misrepresentation, and any and all basis of legal recovery,” based on his ‘The Second Decision’ video, according to TMZ.
Fan Suing LeBron James
Though less than 24 hours had passed from when James posted the teaser video until the official announcement of his brand deal was made, speculation went ablaze. Fans bought tickets to the Lakers’ final game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in hopes it would be a cornerstone moment of his eventual retirement tour, but that did not end up being the case.
Due to the apparently deceitful messaging of James’ promotion, one fan in particular is taking legal action against the Lakers’ star.
Per TMZ Sports, “Andrew Garcia, a 29-year-old, lifelong Lakers fan, filed the lawsuit in a small claims court in Los Angeles County on Wednesday… claiming James owes him $865.66 after he says the hooper seemingly intimated he was about to announce his retirement.”
After seeing the original teaser video, Garcia reportedly bought tickets to the March 31st Lakers-Cavaliers matchup in hopes of seeing James’ last game against his original team. He hopes to get compensation for those tickets, the reason for the LeBron James lawsuit.
“I wouldn’t have purchased it if he wasn’t going to retire,” he said, according to TMZ. “Plain and simple.”
Many might say it is hard to fault Garcia for his quick move to ensure his place in the potentially historic game. James’ teaser closely resembles the circumstances from his monumental 2010 decision, causing many to immediately speculate he was either retiring or leaving the Lakers.
Following Injury Update, Lakers’ Future Remains Uncertain
Potential lawsuit aside, James has other things to worry about as the 2025-26 NBA season quickly approaches. Most recently, Dan Woike of The Athletic reported the star will be out for the next three to four weeks due to sciatica, set to miss the Lakers’ season opener.
James has yet to take part in any of Los Angeles’ training camp or the first few preseason games, and the news comes less than two weeks before he begins his historic 23rd campaign.
The injury will result in an increased workload for players like Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton, but the update still doesn’t answer the question everyone has on their mind.
“After James opted into his contract to stay in L.A., his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, issued a statement to ESPN’s Shams Charania that many interpreted as an indication that James could finish his career somewhere else,” Dave McMenamin wrote for ESPN. “And after having full control over his career for his first 22 years, what’s best and what’s realistic could prove to be at odds.”
McMenamin then detailed the different potential paths James could take to close out his career. Whether it be retiring as a Laker, signing a new deal with the team, asking for a trade, or leaving after the season is over, each option is on the table.
Many thought his ‘Second Decision’ would answer the now pervasive question of his future, but it did not. For now, James is leaving the entire NBA world in the dark as to what his next move will be.
“Everyone is trying to dictate when he’s done and the reality is nobody actually knows,” a source close to James told McMenamin.
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