Patrick Mahomes stood by the passenger-side door, carrying a red duffel bag, waiting for Lance to unlock the car. Noticing that Lance was on the phone, he gestured for clarification.
Lance mouthed the word "agent" and tossed the car keys to Patrick.
Patrick circled around to the driver's side while Lance moved to the passenger seat.
Both rookies and neighbors, Lance and Patrick had fallen into a steady rhythm. Their schedules were practically synchronized—same early mornings, same rigorous training routines—and they often carpooled.
Lance might be the starter, but his understanding of football was still at a beginner level. Patrick, though a backup quarterback, had mountains of material to study and absorb.
This mutual need for growth had created an unexpected synergy: Patrick helped Lance grasp the finer points of football strategy, while Lance dissected playbooks and team dynamics with Patrick.
It wasn't long before their collaboration extended beyond the field. Other rookies, including Kareem Hunt, began joining Lance and Patrick's informal study sessions.
Patrick still chuckled at the memory of Hunt's wide-eyed confusion when Lance first invited him to their rookie strategy workshop.
Lance approached competition with a straightforward attitude. Though he and Hunt technically competed for the same role, he believed in facing challenges head-on. Transparency and fairness were paramount.
This camaraderie had fostered rapid growth across the rookie class.
Even Patrick, still waiting for his debut as starting quarterback, felt more engaged. Watching games from the sidelines, analyzing every play alongside Lance, gave him a deeper appreciation for the complexity of professional football.
Word of the rookie strategy workshop had spread beyond the locker room. Even some second-year players and new additions to the roster had expressed interest in joining future sessions.
The season was young, but everything was moving in the right direction.
Now, watching Lance handle his phone call, Patrick wasn't surprised. He deftly unlocked the car door and slid into the driver's seat, playfully pretending it was his own vehicle.
"Yeah, there was a call like that. Should I know this LeBron?"
Patrick snickered in the driver's seat, recalling the earlier locker room banter.
Lance gave a helpless shrug.
"So, how did you even know about this?" Lance asked over the phone. "He's not some big-shot, right?"
Donald Yee, Lance's agent, sighed audibly.
"Well, he's the current face of the NBA, but no, nothing you need to lose sleep over."
Donald was used to Lance's laid-back demeanor by now.
Donald, however, wasn't fazed.
Earlier, LeBron James himself had contacted Donald after being hung up on by Lance. His tone was...less than patient. Despite the storm of accusations, Donald maintained his composure, carefully defusing the situation.
After the call, Donald had wasted no time. While Lance remained unreachable, Donald orchestrated a series of calls and adjustments, efficiently turning the situation into an opportunity.
When Lance finally called back, Donald had everything in motion.
"LeBron wants to meet you," Donald explained.
"I think it's a good opportunity. He sees your market potential, so I've agreed on your behalf. Next week in Los Angeles, he'll attend your game. Afterward, you'll have dinner together."
Dinner? Lance didn't see the big deal.
"Alright," he agreed without hesitation. "But...so he really is an NBA star?"
Donald confirmed, "They call him the King."
Lance's brow arched. "He's a king? Then what about Michael Jordan?"
Lance was teasing, of course, but there was historical context behind the nickname "King James." The moniker originated during LeBron's high school years, partly inspired by the Bible's King James and partly by his prodigious talent.
In China, fans added the prefix "Little" to his nickname, distinguishing him as the heir to Jordan's basketball throne.
Lance, however, didn't press for a response.
"What I'm more curious about is why he seems so free. Doesn't the NBA have, like, 80 games a season? Isn't he supposed to be busier than us?"
Donald let the playful jab slide.
"The NBA season hasn't started yet. Their preseason doesn't tip off for another two weeks."
Donald paused, then added, "If I had to guess, LeBron's trip to L.A. likely involves private negotiations with a free agent he hopes to recruit to Cleveland. He probably wants to use you as a smokescreen to deflect attention."
Lance nodded in realization. "A decoy. Classic Hollywood."
Lance wasn't surprised.
"You agreed to this, though. That means we're plotting something too, right?"
Donald smirked on the other end of the line.
In 2015, after over a decade of collaboration, Nike signed LeBron to a lifetime endorsement deal worth $1 billion—only the second athlete in history to achieve such a deal after Michael Jordan.
The reasoning was clear: LeBron's signature shoes and merchandise generated $600 million annually, making him Nike's top active athlete.
LeBron's partnership with Nike wasn't just lucrative; it was iconic, cementing his status as a global brand.
While LeBron sought to use Lance for his own agenda, Donald saw an opportunity to leverage LeBron's appearance for Lance's burgeoning marketability.
Donald explained, "Nike has submitted a contract. So have Adidas and Under Armour."
That caught Lance's attention.
Donald's voice remained measured.
"All three are eager to invest. The timing is perfect to negotiate the best deal."
Now Lance understood.
The real stakes weren't just about a casual dinner with LeBron. The groundwork was being laid for something much bigger.
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