LeBron James has revealed exciting personal news about his upcoming projects while his basketball future remains uncertain. The Lakers superstar took to social media to announce a new creative venture coming next year, giving fans something to look forward to beyond the court.

LeBron James shared big news about his latest creative project coming in summer 2026. The Lakers forward announced he’s releasing a new children’s book titled “Happy Spooky Halloween.” The book is scheduled for publication on July 21, 2026, through HarperCollins Publishing.

The basketball star expressed genuine excitement about this personal milestone. “This is a bucket list item for me for real!!!” James wrote on social media. He revealed his childhood inspiration came from reading Goosebumps books during his middle school years.

James recorded a video message for his fans about the upcoming release. “Hey, what’s up everybody? I am so excited to announce my new children’s book and it’s all about my favorite holiday, Halloween,” he said in the clip. The book will feature illustrations by artist Ariel Landy.

The new picture book will tell a seasonal story about teamwork and facing fears. According to the publisher’s description, the story follows a character named Zara and her friends who discover their elementary school’s Halloween party has become “a little too spooky.”

The young characters must work together to overcome their fears. HarperCollins notes that Zara and younger children worry the scary vibes will prevent them from having fun. The story explores whether students of all ages can collaborate to create the perfect party atmosphere.

This marks James’ fourth children’s book publication. He made his debut as an author in 2020 with “I Promise,” followed by “We Are Family” in 2021 and “I Am More Than” in 2024. His previous works have focused on themes of empowerment and family values.

This announcement from LeBron comes at a time when he is in the middle of uncertainty about his future with the Lakers.

Current Lakers Situation and Future

LeBron James is currently sidelined from basketball due to a sciatica issue in his right side. The injury has prevented him from making his season debut with the Lakers. Team officials expect him to remain out for several more weeks while focusing on his recovery.

The Lakers organization has taken a cautious approach with their veteran star’s health. Head coach JJ Redick and the medical staff are prioritizing long-term recovery over immediate return. James is expected to become the first player in NBA history to compete in a 23rd season when he does return.

James’s contract situation adds uncertainty to his basketball future. The Lakers declined to offer him an extension this past summer, forcing him to exercise his $52.6 million player option. This means he could become a free agent after this season.

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has emphasized respecting James’s autonomy regarding his career decisions. “The first thing we want to do in terms of LeBron and his future is just give him absolute respect to choose his story with his family in terms of how many years he’s going to continue to play,” Pelinka stated during a recent press conference.