NBA to honor LeBron James with this touching detail
The NBA legend will be honored by the league with a new addition to his jersey.
As LeBron James continues to defy age and expectation in the NBA, the league and collectors are acknowledging his longevity in a symbolic and touching way. For the remaining 46 games of the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers legend will wear a bespoke badge on his jersey to mark what is shaping up to be an unmatched 23rd season in professional basketball history.
The patch itself is more than decorative. Featuring a silhouette of James’ iconic pre‑game chalk toss, the insignia also includes coloured stripes that represent the three franchises he has represented during his career - a visual timeline of his journey from Cleveland to Miami and, finally, Los Angeles.
LeBron James debuts a new “Stewie Griffin” Nike LeBron 23 PE inspired by his iconic LeBron 6 colorway 📺🔥 pic.twitter.com/OaiaDApHmL
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) December 2, 2025
This initiative comes through a partnership with trading card producer Topps, which has re‑entered the NBA memorabilia market after years away. Following each game, James’ equipment staff will remove the patch from his game‑worn uniform, note the date and then send it to Topps’ facility in Dallas for authentication.
The patch will then be featured in special release collectible cards which will inevitably be sold for extraordinary prices.
The decision happens amid speculation about James’ future. While he has expressed enthusiasm for competing and remains a key contributor for the Lakers, he has also acknowledged that retirement is on the horizon even as he begins this historic campaign. The arrival of Luka Doncic to the Lakers as the side’s new poster child has also raised questions regarding his status within the franchise.
BREAKING: LeBron James will wear a special-edition 23rd season jersey patch beginning tonight in Sacramento; the city where he began his legendary career in 2003.
— Topps (@Topps) January 12, 2026
The patches will be removed from his jersey after each game, and some will be placed into ultra-rare trading cards. pic.twitter.com/zzOEJyiFUK
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Still, his performances have not faltered: at 41, James is putting up 21.9 points per game on 51% shooting, along with 6.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds, helping the Lakers sit fifth in the Western Conference with a 23‑13 record.
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