Nobody actually thought we'd see this. For years, the "LeBron and Bronny card" was just a hypothetical topic collectors argued about on Discord or at the back of a local hobby shop. Then, 2024 happened. Then 2025 happened. Now, in early 2026, the market for father-son memorabilia has basically transformed into its own asset class.
If you're holding a base Topps Now card from their first game together, you might be looking at a nice lunch. But if you're chasing the high-end stuff? You're playing in a league that involves six-figure wire transfers and armored trucks.
It’s weirdly emotional for some, but for most of the hobby, it’s purely about the math of scarcity.
The card that changed everything: 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome
Before the duo even shared an NBA court, Fanatics dropped a bomb. They signed LeBron James to an exclusive deal, ending his decades-long relationship with Upper Deck. The first real "chase" was the 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome 1/1 Superfractor Dual Autograph.
This card is the holy grail. It features LeBron in his St. Vincent-St. Mary’s high school jersey and Bronny in his USC Trojans uniform. It’s an on-card autograph for both. No stickers. No "event-worn" nonsense. Just ink and history.
When this card was pulled at Jim & Steve’s Sports Cards in Waukegan, Illinois, the hobby stopped breathing for a second. It eventually hit the auction block and fetched roughly $114,000. While that’s a fraction of what a LeBron 1/1 Logoman might bring, it set the floor for what a Bronny-LeBron pairing is worth. It proved that people aren't just buying Bronny; they are buying the lineage.
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Why the market is behaving so strangely
Honestly, the value of a LeBron and Bronny card isn't tied to Bronny’s PPG. If it were, the prices might be a lot lower. You've got to understand that this is "Legacy Pricing."
- Scarcity of Dual Signatures: LeBron doesn't sign much. He’s notoriously difficult to get for multi-player cards unless it’s with MJ or Kobe. Adding his son to the mix creates a unique "moment in time" that collectors crave.
- The Lakers Factor: Now that they’ve played together in the purple and gold, the 2024-25 Topps Now cards have flooded the market.
- The "First" Premium: The 2024-25 Topps Now #1 card, which commemorates their NBA debut, had a massive print run of 74,453. Because so many exist, a base version is only worth about $5 to $10.
But here is the kicker: the parallels.
The 1/1 "FoilFractor" or the Black /10 versions of that same debut card are the ones causing bidding wars. I saw a Black parallel sell recently for a price that could buy a decent used car. People are betting on the historical significance of the first father-son duo in NBA history, regardless of how the rest of Bronny's career pans out.
What most people get wrong about "The Chase"
You'll see people on eBay listing "LeBron and Bronny card" for $500 when it’s clearly a $2 base card. Don't be that person.
The real value is in the "On-Card" autographs and the "Case Hits." For example, the 2025-26 Topps Chrome sets are now hitting the shelves, and the "Ultra Violet" and "Tall Tales" inserts are the ones to watch. These aren't even always dual cards, but they're being treated as part of the same "set" by enthusiasts who want the complete James family story.
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If you’re looking at a card where the autographs are on stickers, it’s generally going to be worth significantly less than an on-card signature. Collectors in 2026 are snobs about this, and for good reason. A sticker is just a piece of plastic; an on-card auto means the King actually held that piece of cardboard.
Let's talk about the 2025-26 Topps Flagship
We are currently seeing the 2025-26 Topps Basketball sets dominate the conversation. The LeBron James #150 base card from this set is everywhere. You can find them for a couple of bucks.
However, the "Team Logo" case hits and the "Gold" parallels numbered to /2025 are where the liquidity is. If you find a dual-patch card featuring jersey pieces from both—especially if they're from the same game—you’ve essentially hit the lottery.
Topps has been leaning hard into the "23 NBA Seasons" theme for LeBron, and they've cleverly tucked Bronny parallels into those subsets. It's a genius marketing move. They know that even if you aren't a Bronny "believer," you can't ignore the gravity of LeBron's sunset years.
How to actually value your collection
If you're sitting on a stack of these cards, you need to be clinical.
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- Check the "1/1" or Numbering: If it’s not numbered (e.g., 10/25 or 1/1), it’s likely a base card. Base cards are for fun, not for retirement.
- Grading is Mandatory: In 2026, an ungraded LeBron and Bronny card is a liability. A PSA 10 or BGS 9.5 can double or triple the value of the raw card. For the Topps Now debut card, a PSA 10 recently sold for about $45, while the raw version struggles to hit $5.
- Authentication Matters: Only trust the big three: PSA, BGS, or SGC. With the rise of high-quality fakes, a slab is the only way to ensure your "1/1" is actually the 1/1.
The actionable play for collectors right now
Stop buying the hype on base cards. The print runs are too high. If you want to actually make money or own something that holds value, you have to look for the "Short Prints" (SPs) and "Super Short Prints" (SSPs).
Keep an eye on the 2024 Panini Donruss Optic "Optical Illusions" dual cards. They’re relatively affordable right now—often under $20 for a base—but the "Prizm" parallels of these are starting to climb. They’re visually stunning and feature both players in Lakers gear, which is the "forever" look for this duo.
Also, watch the auction houses like Goldin or Heritage. They aren't just for the million-dollar cards anymore. They’re becoming the primary marketplace for mid-tier dual autos in the $1,000 to $5,000 range.
If you're buying to hold, look for the St. Vincent-St. Mary's / USC dual autos. They represent the "before" era, which often becomes more nostalgic and valuable once a player retires.
The window to get these at "reasonable" prices is closing as LeBron approaches his actual, for-real retirement. Once he hangs it up, every card with his face on it—especially those with his son—is going to be treated like a historical artifact.
Your next move: Check the serial number on any 2024-25 or 2025-26 Topps cards you own. If you see a "1/1" or a number under 10, get it to a grading service immediately. If you're buying, stick to "On-Card" autographs from licensed Topps or Panini products to avoid the secondary market's "custom" card traps.