Los Angeles Lakers & Legacy Era (2019–Present)
The most recent era covers LeBron James' move to the Los Angeles Lakers and his continued push for records and championships along the way.
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Deemed the “Kobe Tribute Dunk,” the 2020 Panini #1 basketball card is iconic in its’ own right. Some still argue, years later, if it’s a given nickname or not even in question. Collectability (and prices) continue to trend upward once you understand the meaning of this card, how big of a moment this was, and how amazing the actual photograph is. The video on YouTube interviewing Lebron James (post-game the day of the game) showed that he didn't consciously choose that dunk to honor Kobe, it was more coincidence than anything. Was it truly meant to be a Kobe tribute? LeBron has been doing this dunk his whole career and still brings it out every now and then. I always thought it was a coincidence that he did it so soon after Kobe passed, but hey maybe it wasn’t a conscious choice. This is a beautiful card and there are far more Lebron collector's/investors who want this then there will be of any numbered versions in circulation. So, what do you notice, design-wise? For starters, it’s a landscape card – in a set that previously didn’t do horizontal cards. It’s also numero uno in the set, and if a set has a sense of purpose – card #1 is typically the place to look. Finally, a photograph of Lebron paying homage to Kobe? That’s hard to beat. It really seemed that Panini was realizing how much power there was in solid photography, due to the explosion of the ’08-09 Topps set. This may be Panini’s first horizontal card in the base set, it’s a great picture, simple design and reminds many of the 2007-08 Topps Chrome Kobe. The Same dunk, 19 years apart, on the same floor, at the same rim.
The best 2020 LeBron cards still focus heavily around the iconic Kobe Tribute Dunk card, being highly-sought after for both aesthetics and emotional significance – representing a monumental moment in basketball history. Other top contenders include rare Spectra and Color Blast inserts (from Lebron’s second year as a Laker), and other high-end pulls from sets like Flawless; but the Prizm #1 remains a core collectible from that era agreed by both Sports Illustrated and The New York Times. While parallels still demand high prices, the base card was pretty easy for collectors to pull, allowing them to bet on long-term demand for a card that is directly referencing two of some of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game. This card is a perfect example of how emotional and cultural relevance can fuel grading demand, as it’s beloved by collectors for what it represents, and not its' rarity or monetary value. The fact that it was the #1 card, and headliner of the set, demonstrates James’s dominance and market influence of the time.
The 2023-24 Panini Mosaic Basketball set featured a variety of inserts, with new additions including Bank Shot, Heat Check, and In-Season Tournament. Returning inserts like Overdrive, Razzle Dazzle, and Storm Chasers were also present. The popular Stained Glass insert returned as a super short print (SSP), and those hunting for something a little tougher could be on the lookout for short-printed In-Season Tournament cards. The “NBA In-Season Tournament” is a 25 card set.
The 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament was a multi-stage basketball tournament that played during the 2023-24 NBA season. It was the first edition of the NBA Cup. All 30 teams participated, each playing four regular-season games that count towards the tournament’s group stage standings. All games in the knockout round, except for the championship game, also counted towards the regular season standings. The tournament's semifinals and championship game were played at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip. The tournament's format was similar to in-season, multi-stage tournaments in European soccer. The Lakers became the first team to win the NBA Cup. LeBron James won the inaugural MVP award, following his averages of 26.4 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, while shooting 56.8% from the field and 60.6% on threes.
In 2023, LeBron James, playing for the Lakers, achieved monumental feats including becoming the NBA's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and hitting 38,000 career points, all while maintaining elite performance in his late 30s and launching his signature Nike LeBron 23 shoe line, solidifying his legendary status
2023-24 National Treasures Basketball is for those who want to walk on the high-end side. As far as premium releases go, this was one of the marquee products of the season, delivering lots of hits and brand recognition. When it comes to strictly relics, Colossal is back for another year. Not only do these have oversized swatches that give some added pop, but parallels incorporate things like brand logos and Logoman patches. This particular “Colossal Materials” card comes from a short checklist of just 15 players, this one being numbered /99.
Memorabilia cards played the leading role in Panini Silhouette Basketball, including NBA Finals Memorabilia, Holiday Laundry Tags, and Specialty Jumbo Patches. Seemingly a mashup of several other Panini brands, 2024-25 Panini Silhouette Basketball hits the court as a "Debut Edition" product. The high-end Hobby box ($1,099.95) included seven relics and one autograph.
LeBron recorded a triple-double in Game 3 of the 2018 NBA Finals, finishing with 33 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. Despite his heroic individual effort, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost 110–102 to the Golden State Warriors. In the first quarter, LeBron electrified the home crowd by throwing the ball off the backboard to himself for a two-handed dunk. Game 4 was LeBron James' final game as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers before he joined the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency later that summer.
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