JJ Redick doesn’t think very highly of those who believed LeBron James was teasing a serious announcement.
James, 40, posted a teaser video for “The Second Decision” on Monday, stating the reveal would happen Tuesday.
While some wondered if he’d be announcing his final season, others pondered if it was a publicity stunt.
It turned out to be the latter, an ad campaign for a liquor company.
“You guys are idiots,” Redick, James’ friend and the Lakers head coach, told reporters Tuesday. “We all knew it was an ad, right? I’m sure I got some texts. … I think most people that text me are also aware that it was probably an ad. Nobody was freaking out.”
Retirement rumors have swirled around James in recent years, given his age and the mileage on his legs — he’s entering his 23rd NBA season.
But he has remained productive and relatively healthy; in 70 games last season, James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds while leading the Lakers to a 50-33 record in Redick’s first year as a coach.
The third-seeded Lakers, however, were upset by the No. 6 Timberwolves in a 4-1 series loss in the first round.
There was also speculation James might push for a trade as the Lakers shift their long-term focus to Luka Doncic leading the franchise after the seismic midseason trade with the Mavericks.
James has been motivated to play with his son, Bronny, whom the Lakers took in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Bronny shuffled between the NBA and the G League last season, making 27 appearances for the Lakers and averaging 2.7 points in less than seven minutes a game.
The Lakers are tied with the Timberwolves for the sixth-best odds to win the 2025-26 NBA championship at +1400, per DraftKings.
The Thunder (+250) are the favorites to repeat, followed by the Nuggets (+600), Knicks (+850), Cavaliers (+850) and Rockets (+1100).
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