The Shift in the NBA Trading Card Market
The trading card scene in the NBA has seen a notable shift, as emerging stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers have recently become the center of attention. With both players leading their teams to the NBA Finals, they are drawing significant interest from collectors, standing out in a market otherwise dominated by aging icons like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, along with the impact of Victor Wembanyama’s injury. In a surprising twist, WNBA cards are starting to outperform certain NBA cards in sales, highlighting a gap in the current basketball card market.
NBA Finals and Player Card Transactions
The NBA Finals, set to commence on Thursday, provide a crucial platform for Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton to showcase their talents. Both players are making their inaugural Finals appearances and have seen a substantial influx in their card transactions over the past month. As reported by Market Movers, which monitors sales data, Haliburton’s cards have accumulated over 4,100 sales, placing him as the seventh most active player. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander, recently crowned league MVP, follows closely behind with approximately 3,400 sales, ranking eighth.
Financial Impacts of Their Card Sales
The financial contrasts between their cards are striking. Gilgeous-Alexander’s card sales in the past month have reached about $667,000, landing him in eighth place for total dollar sales, while Haliburton’s cards earned him $331,000, placing him in tenth. For context, the legendary Michael Jordan remains at the top of this list, with his cards fetching a staggering $5.6 million.
Trends in Rookie Card Values
Focusing on the popular Panini Prizm Silver rookie cards graded as gem mint 10 by PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2018 card from his time with the Los Angeles Clippers has gained remarkable market traction. Averaging $1,200 in the last month, this card’s value has nearly doubled since the beginning of the year, when it sat at around $675. Notable transactions in this timeframe saw one of his rookie cards sell for as much as $1,400. In comparison, Haliburton’s rookie card averaged $413 recently, a marked increase from a mere $161 back in December.
Haliburton’s Recent Success and Card Sales
The landscape has shifted dramatically for Haliburton after the Pacers clinched a spot in the Finals, evidenced by a recent sale of his unique 2020 Panini Prizm Black Finite rookie card that fetched an impressive $120,000. This figure significantly surpasses his previous highest sales, indicating a resurgent interest in his playing career after a slump earlier in the season.
The Variable Nature of Card Values
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves saw a rollercoaster of card values during the playoffs, with his average sales fluctuating greatly following his team’s elimination. His card’s speculative nature was witnessed as its value rebounded during the Timberwolves’ playoff run only to drop again post-elimination.
Should the Pacers have faced the New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson’s card values might have dominated this narrative. His recent sales mirror Haliburton’s trajectory, reflecting the competitive nature of the current card market.
Final Thoughts as the NBA Finals Approach
The experience from previous Finals highlights how championship performance doesn’t guarantee the stability of card values. Jayson Tatum from the Boston Celtics faced a similar fate last season, as his performance—and subsequent injury—contributed to a decline in his card worth, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of collector sentiment in relation to player performance.
As the Finals approach, both Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton have a prime opportunity to elevate their stature in both the NBA and the trading card universe, possibly positioning themselves as the next big collectible stars in basketball history.
