NBA Stock Watch: Rising and Falling Stars in New Season

As the buzz of the 2025-26 NBA season fills the air, fans find themselves with their eyes glued to a star-studded doubleheader that launches the year. This opening night spectacle features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Oklahoma City Thunder taking on the reshaped Houston Rockets, now boasting the legendary Kevin Durant. Following this clash, the Los Angeles Lakers, headlined by the timeless LeBron James and maverick Luka Dončić, square off against Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors, promising a night of exhilarating basketball.

While the glitter of household names draws attention, the real hustle is happening in the world of trading cards, where collectors follow far more than just game scores. Delve into the Beckett Online Price Guide as it unveils intriguing shifts — some players are hot commodities, their trading cards becoming sought-after treasures, while others are cooling off, presenting potential buying opportunities.

Let's start with the four players on an upward trajectory. We begin with the enchanting Victor Wembanyama, the towering 7-foot-3 centerpiece of the San Antonio Spurs. After a truncated last season due to health setbacks, Wembanyama returns, robust and ready for the courts. Murmurs of a potential Defensive Player of the Year accolade swirl around him like a tailor-made suit. This renewed vigor has collectors buzzing with excitement, and his trading card — particularly the 2024-25 Panini Hoops Anti Gravity — has surged in value. The Spurs faithful and collectors alike bank on him to remain healthy and disrupt opponents all season long.

Then there’s Matas Buzelis, who turned heads late last season as an unexpected starter for the Chicago Bulls. His transformation from a bench player averaging 5.8 points in 14.0 minutes per game to a promising starter with 13.0 points in 26.8 minutes is the stuff of NBA dreams. This accelerated growth has investors eyeing his prospects keenly, as showcased by the climb in value of his 2024-25 Panini Prizms Green card. Chicago hopes can rest easy as they anticipate bigger contributions from this rising star in his second season.

Speaking of transitions, Bogdan Bogdanovic has made waves with a seamless adaptation to his new home with the Los Angeles Clippers. His midseason trade provided Clippers fans with a consistent sharpshooter who helped ignite a playoff chase. As the Clippers unveil a refreshed roster, the anticipation of what Bogdanovic brings to the hardwood is palpable, mirrored by the uptick in his 2024-25 Panini Mosaic Purple collection.

In Minnesota, Terrence Shannon Jr. patiently awaited his moment to shine, and once he hit his stride, he commanded attention. The 6-foot-6 guard penned a tale of growth with his late blooming performances, earning him a more defined stature in the rotation. As September drew to a close, collectors eagerly snagged his cards, notably the 2024-25 Select Orange Flash Prizms, banking on further displays of prowess.

But the rollercoaster of the NBA market has its descents too. Take Joel Embiid, for instance, whose persona as a former MVP remains vibrant, yet recent injuries cloak it with shadows. Playing just 58 games in two seasons, and emerging from knee surgery, both Embiid and enthusiasts are cautiously optimistic. Despite his undeniable talent, Embiid’s market cooled a bit, as a watchful eye remains on his physical reinvigoration and game adaptability. Meanwhile, the 2024-25 Donruss Playmakers card bears this tale of temporary caution.

Another player facing a slight downturn is Zach Edey. His rookie epoch in Memphis began with promise. However, the unfortunate shadow of an ankle injury looms large, delaying his sophomore dash. Patience may be a virtue for dedicated collectors, with the prospect of a two-month setback already reflected in his card prices, particularly the 2024-25 Panini Prizm Black Purple Ice Prizm.

Not too far away, Jaylen Wells experiences the typical sophomore jitters. This promising second-rounder captured fans’ imaginations with substantial minutes for the Grizzlies, yet the fear of a sophomore slump has taken root. Despite a commendable first season, recent pricing of cards, like the 2024-25 Donruss Optic Photon Prizms, suggests a modicum of doubt from cautious collectors.

In Boston's bustling streets, Baylor Scheierman carved out a niche, albeit a narrow one, by the time playoffs rolled around. His few, but impactful, on-court jobs enticed collectors initially, but interest cooled slightly in anticipation of a broader role. His collectibles, including the 2024-25 Panini Mosaic Rookie Scripts, remain in limbo, waiting for him to paint more memorable nights on the Celtics canvas.

As the NBA embarks on another season of thrilling narratives and electric athletic displays, each player’s journey intertwines with collector interests, ensuring that while the ball spins on the court, another game of trading cards buzzes off it. Each bounce and swish becomes not just a page in the annals of NBA history but also a pulse in the heartbeat of a vibrant hobby market.