Basketball card prices have continued to rise in anticipation of the season, and with the recent $1.8 million sale of the LeBron James 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Parallel #78 trading card more and more are entering the hobby every single day.Ā It really seems like no card is a bad buy right now. And with the NBA restart underway, we look at the top 5 NBA finals favorites and some of the cards that have the greatest chance of benefitting from playoff success.
5. Boston Celtics - Jayson Tatum 2017 Panini Prizm Rookie #16
Kicking off the countdown is Jayson Tatum and his Boston Celtics.Ā Much like the other cards on this list, the Tatum 2017 Panini Prizm #16 PSA 10 has only been on the rise since the NBA halted play in March. At the beginning of July, this card was going for about $500, recently it has been trading just shy of $800.Ā With the best odds to get past the Bucks in the East, Tatumās card could continue to rise.
4. Houston Rockets - James Harden 2009 Topps Rookie #319
The Rockets have been a perennial playoff team since Harden joined for the 2012-13 campaign and this year is no different. Houston has the 4th best odds to reach the NBA finals according to Bovada, and James Harden will definitely play a large part if Houston can get there.Ā In Houstonās āsmall ballā experiment, Harden has a prime opportunity to increase the value of his 2009 Topps Rookie #319, which the PSA 10 recently traded for nearly $900.
3. Los Angeles Clippers - Kawhi Leonard 2012 Panini Prizm Rookie #209
Kawhiās Clippers have the best chance to knock off their crosstown rival Lakers in the Western Conference according to the oddsmakers.Ā Of course, Kawhi knocked off the LeBron James led Miami Heat in the 2014 Finals and captured his first finals MVP award.Ā The reigning NBA Finals MVP has only seen his 2012 Panini Prizm Rookie #209 PSA 10 go up during the hiatus, and going back to back with two different teams would be an incredible accomplishment to add to his already long list of accolades.Ā This card is currently trading for around $3,000, but with only 898 10s in the PSA pop report, it seems to still be a value.
2. Milwaukee Bucks - Giannis Antetokounmpo 2013 Panini Prizm Rookie #290
It is hard to believe that at the beginning of the season the Giannis Antetokounmpo Panini Prizm Rookie #290 PSA 10 was trading at $650, as it is now at $4,000.Ā With the best odds in the East to reach the NBA finals, the 2019 NBA MVP has a great chance to add to his legacy and the value of his rookie card. As an early Prizm card, it still has a relatively low PSA report too with 2,193 PSA 10s to date.
1. Los Angeles Lakers - LeBron James 2003 Topps Rookie #221
There is not a single LeBron James Card that has not seen a bump over the last several months.Ā The LeBron James Topps Chrome Rookie #111 PSA 10 is now trading at over $16,000, but his 2003 Topps #221 PSA 10 has also seen a bump.Ā At seasonās start, the LeBron Topps Rookie was a little over $350, it has sold for $8,000 most recently.Ā LeBron has a great shot to bring the title back to Tinseltown, and this would not only cause a further increase to his cards, but the Anthony Davis 2012 Prizm #236 would rise as well! However, if you are looking for something to add to your collection for a little less LeBronās 2019 Prizm card (his first Prizm in a Lakers jersey) would also see a nice spike.
While NBA playoff success will bring about increases to any of the cards on this list, they aren’t the only ones that have the potential to climb.Ā Obviously, Luka will be making his first playoff appearance and Ja and Zion certainly have the opportunity to do so as well.Ā The market is absolutely insane right now with basketball returning and it is certainly a time to buy!
