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Fanatics is celebrating LeBron James' unprecedented 24th NBA season by placing a commemorative patch on every game-worn jersey he dons this year. The announcement came on the morning of October 20, just hours before James was set to begin the season with his new team, the Philadelphia 76ers.
According to the company's statement, multiple patches will be utilized to produce one-of-one trading cards, though the exact number of patches and the specific card products they will be inserted into were not disclosed.
Since introducing MLB Debut Patches in 2023, Fanatics has seen its innovative patch cards surge in popularity, with even lesser-known players' debut patch autograph cards fetching thousands of dollars. The company is now leveraging that success to both honor James and create unique collectibles.
A Design Fit for a King
The patch's design pays homage to James' iconic pre-game chalk toss, featuring his silhouette set against a crest-like background. Above the number "24" in large font, the words "NBA Seasons" are displayed. The color scheme incorporates red, white, and blue—the colors of both the American flag and the 76ers.
Record-Breaking Longevity
James entered the 2026-27 season having played 23 seasons since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2003. He and his son, LeBron James Jr. (known as Bronny), also became the first father-son duo to appear together in an NBA game, underscoring James' remarkable durability. The previous record for most NBA seasons played was held by Vince Carter with 22, a mark James reached a couple of years ago.
Market Outlook for Patch Autos
Placing a value on these cards is difficult, especially if this proves to be James' final season. Cooper Flagg's Rookie Debut Patch card sold for just over $8 million, while the same card for Dylan Harper and Kon Knueppel commanded $2.88 million and $2.34 million, respectively. However, those were Rookie Debut Patch cards—the only ones in existence for those players. A more comparable benchmark might be the MVP dual patch autograph card of Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani currently up for auction on Fanatics Collect. It sits at $650,000 after 41 bids, with extended bidding starting tomorrow. The fact that Fanatics will produce multiple one-of-ones could dilute value when these cards hit the open market, but ultimately, they remain LeBron James game-used patch one-of-one cards.