While the NBA Conference Finals rage on and sweat beads the brows of towering athletes, an altogether different sort of tension is percolating in the world of sports card collectors. The stakes are high, and the heat is palpable, not just from the courtside but also from the bustling markets of card trading. This season, amidst the shrill whistles and soaring slam dunks, another silent yet stirring spectacle continues — the fluctuating fortunes of select NBA player cards.
The four remaining squads in the championship hunt — the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks — have more in common than a shared dream of hoisting the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy. They are also home to current treasures in sports card collectors’ inventories, thanks to the players who represent the heart and soul of these respective teams. Amongst them, the most illustrious inserts such as the “Kaboom,” “Downtown,” and “Color Blast,” are gaining traction, with collectors keeping a polished eye on their fluctuating fortunes.
Let’s delve into the individual stories of these NBA stars and the tale their cards narrate.
For the Oklahoma City Thunder, it is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who has taken center stage. Like a fine wine, SGA has grown to become an indispensable cask of the Thunder’s craftsmanship. His skill on the court has been mirrored by rising interest in his 2023 One and One Downtown cards. Currently, raw versions of the card are up 7.4% over the past 30 days. The last known sale of this captivating piece was at $2,500, a noticeable climb from early May’s $1,950. Yet, while the raw cards climb, PSA 10s (professionally graded as gem mint) are down by a curious 20%, with the last PSA 10 sale clocking in at $3,700. Meanwhile, SGA’s 2023 Obsidian Black Color Blast is basking in the limelight with raw versions up a glowing 22% at $850. The PSA 10 of this card was last ambitiously caught at $1,170. This all lays the groundwork for potentially fruitful ‘buy-low’ opportunities in PSA 10 cards, presuming the Thunder’s charge doesn’t stall.
In the shimmering land of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards, lovingly known as “Ant-Man,” is turning heads and cash registers alike. His Crown Royale Rookie Kaboom! is a staple in collections and his popularity is growing more irresistible by the dunk. Although recent trades of raw cards were priced at $2,950 back in March, his PSA 10 card saw a modest uptick of 2.5%, last selling for $8,923 on May 7. When it comes to his 2020 One of One Rookie Downtown insert, raw copies are wandering the speculative wilderness, while PSA 10s have leaped an impressive 33%. With the last recorded sale priced at a princely $13,000, Ant-Man continues to be a heroic figure for both the Timberwolves’ hopes and collectors’ dreams.
Zooming over to the Indiana Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton stands as their hope-torch bearer amidst fierce competition. Known for significant contributions from a very misshapen package deal king saga, Haliburton is proving his on-court theatrics are matched by a heart-pounding card market performance. His 2020 One and One Rookie Downtown has faces lighting up with admiration, as PSA 10 cards have surged 40% to $4,000 from $1,500 in raw format back in March. His 2023 Spectra Color Blast insert, meanwhile, is etched firmly on collector wish-lists. Here, PSA 10 enthusiasts recently shelled out $1,463, underscoring a vivid appreciation for his exploits and the Pacers’ promising trail.
Finally, we sail to New York, where the underdog Knicks prowl and pounce. Jalen Brunson is at the forefront of the Orange and Blue’s unexpected playoff splendor. While Brunson’s journey with the 2023 One and One Downtown insert showed raw cards dropping discouragingly by 14% to a May 5 price of $1,100, savvy speculators are noting a wonderful uptick of 35% in PSA 10 versions, the latest exchange pricing them delightfully at $2,425. This could present an exquisite pattern: secure those raw cards at marking markets low and bet on a potential playoff crescendo by sending them off for grading. With the Knicks’ seasonal swan song yet to visit its final note, collectors could find themselves holding golden tickets if New York happens to blissfully coincide with victory.
As series continue and rivalries intensify, the situation remains as unpredictable as a Stephen Curry half-court buzzer-beater. However, the overarching dance between players’ performances on the hardwood and their reflective ripples in the sports card domain provides a thrilling parallel narrative. Whether it’s through the lens of energetic shots or the glint of perfectly pristine inserts, it’s a time of great possibilities and rivalries in this vibrant niche of sports fandom.
