Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will wear a special commemorative patch on his jersey starting Monday against the Sacramento Kings, marking his record 23rd season in the NBA. The patch honors the city where his career began in 2003 and features elements from his time with three franchises. Patches from each game will be collected for rare trading cards.
LeBron James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, is set to debut a special-edition jersey patch during the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Sacramento Kings on January 12, 2026. The patch, located on the upper-right chest, reads "23 NBA Seasons" and includes a silhouette of James performing his signature pregame chalk toss ritual. Behind it are colored stripes representing his three franchises: the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The timing of the debut is symbolic. James played his first NBA game on October 29, 2003, in Sacramento as a member of the Cavaliers, scoring 25 points with nine assists and six rebounds. This return to the city provides a fitting occasion to commemorate his longevity, as he becomes the first player in league history to reach 23 seasons, surpassing Vince Carter's 22.
In collaboration with Topps trading cards, the patch will be removed from James' jersey after each game by the team's equipment manager, dated, and authenticated before insertion into ultra-rare cards. With 46 regular-season games remaining, 46 such cards will enter circulation. The process will be captured on video for verification.
James, now 41, missed the first 14 games of the 2025-26 season due to sciatica in his lower back, marking the first time he sat out opening night. His season averages stand at 21.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, the lowest since his rookie year, and he has not played a full 82-game schedule since 2017-18. However, since his December 30 birthday, he has averaged 28.3 points on 55.6% shooting, 8.5 assists, and 8.3 rebounds over four January games—surpassing his career averages of 26.9 points, 7.4 assists, and 7.5 rebounds. Entering the game, James trails Robert Parish by 30 games for the most in NBA history.
The Lakers hold a 23-13 record, placing fifth in the Western Conference. James' agent, Rich Paul, recently stated he does not know when the superstar will retire and hopes this is not his final season. James himself has remained noncommittal about his future.
