If and when Bronny James takes the court alongside his father, LeBron, during the Lakers’ opening night matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, it will mark a seminal moment in the history of basketball.
Many criticized the Lakers' decision to draft Bronny with the 55th overall pick, forming the first active father-son duo in NBA history, due to the 20-year-old's lackluster performance during his only NCAA season for USC. The 6-foot-2 guard appeared in 25 games and averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists following a cardiac arrest which sidelined him for nearly five months.
However, there is little doubt LeBron’s dream of sharing the court with his son will provide an all-time NBA moment.
Plus, with Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr. in attendance Tuesday, it seems all but certain Bronny will make his NBA debut in front of the home crowd at Crypto.com Arena.
As with all things LeBron-related, this moment is sure to yield collectibles.
So, for those attending Tuesday’s game or watching at home, what can collectors expect to commemorate this moment?
Jerseys
The jerseys donned by LeBron and Bronny when they take the court together for the first time will almost certainly be kept by the father and son.
Jerseys from iconic moments in LeBron’s career rarely, if ever, appear for public auction, with only two selling for more than $1 million. The jersey LeBron wore during Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals holds the all-time record price at $3.68 million.
With a museum devoted to James’ career already built in Akron, Ohio, some believe James has kept many of his most significant memorabilia for display.
In this case, considering the emotional value attached to this moment, it would appear highly likely the jerseys will be similarly kept.
However, these days NBA players often wear multiple jerseys during a single game. Just as Sotheby’s sold one of the multiple jerseys worn during Victor Wembanyama’s debut game in an auction last year for $762,000, we might see jerseys from LeBron and Bronny’s first game together — albeit, not necessarily worn while they share the court — hit the auction block.
Sotheby’s, which is the NBA’s official partner for game-worn jerseys, would not confirm to cllct whether it would be auctioning off the jerseys from the James tandem.
Previously, SCP Auctions founder and Lakers super collector David Kohler paid $38,400 for Bronny’s Las Vegas Summer League debut jersey back in September.
Cards
The most famous, and to this point, most expensive, collectible featuring LeBron and Bronny is the 2023 Bowman U Chrome Superfractor 1/1 autographed by both, which sold for $114,000 back in March.
On the more economical side, watch for Topps NOW and Panini Instant to potentially capitalize on the moment. Both companies have ramped up their efforts with quick-turn cards, and although neither would disclose their plans to cllct, this occasion fits the model both have used for historic events.
Tickets
The Lakers do not print paper tickets to games at Crypto.com Arena, only providing admission via mobile tickets.
The team told cllct it will not fulfill requests for a printed ticket from fans in attendance Tuesday night.
Memorabilia
The Lakers Team Store does not yet have any memorabilia signed by both Bronny and LeBron. However, individually signed pieces, such as a photograph signed by Bronny is listed for $299.99 and a Bronny-signed basketball is priced at $449.99.
How does this stack up against collectibles honoring the other most famous father-son duo to play together in sports history, Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr.?
A ticket from the 1990 game in which Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr. hit back-to-back home runs, signed by both, sold for $13,200 in January 2024. A ticket from the first game the two played together sold for $480 in September 2023.
The lineup card from the same game sold for $93,000 in February 2023. A dual-signed baseball sold for $240 in March 2023.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.