Sep 29, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during media day at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Given this late stage of LeBron James' legendary basketball career, many of us are just waiting for him to finally announce his retirement from the NBA. After all, the all-timer doesn't really have anything to accomplish anymore over two decades into doing this. Also, it's pretty clear the Los Angeles Lakers are done with James, too.

James understands this dynamic amongst some folks in the hoops world. And he might be using it against them.

On Monday, James teased "The Second Decision," an obvious riff on his infamous televised, circus-like event where he bolted from the Cleveland Cavaliers (the first time) to the Miami Heat. James and his camp undoubtedly know many people will assume this teaser might be some sort of retirement announcement, in a way that brings his career (and previous pitfalls) full circle.

That's all well and good, but it's almost certainly not what we're thinking:

I don't want to assume too much, but when James eventually announces his retirement, he's probably not going to invoke "The Decision" in any fashion. Think about it. Why would arguably the greatest basketball player in history want perhaps his worst public basketball decision to potentially detract from what will likely be an extended retirement tour conducted by all 30 NBA teams over a long 82-game season?

It's supposed to be a celebration of his greatness! Full stop.

No, no. This "Second Decision" is much more likely something connected with Amazon, considering that the company's "Prime Day" is on Tuesday, October 7th, as posited by Harrison Faigen:

Notably, James has also done ads for Amazon in the past, where he joked about his retirement in a similar fashion:

Read the tea leaves here, people. James likely isn't announcing retirement from the NBA like this.

I would guess that this "Second Decision" is something like him "deciding" whether he wants one-day delivery from Amazon or a longer delivery date so as to reduce his carbon footprint. What a dilemma! Don't get it twisted.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Is LeBron James’ ‘Second Decision’ tease a retirement hint?

Reporting by Robert Zeglinski, For The Win / For The Win

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