The dawning of a new NBA season is always a spectacle, akin to the theatrical opening night of a Broadway show, complete with the drama, unexpected turns, and a plethora of leading performances. This year’s curtain-raiser promises no less, with a star-studded doubleheader. First, the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, welcome the brilliant Kevin Durant and his new Houston Rockets squad. Not to be outdone, the second game dazzles with LeBron James and Luka Dončić from the Los Angeles Lakers squaring off against Stephen Curry and the Warriors — a match that’s set to shake the rafters with excitement. It’s no surprise that collectors and fans alike keep their eyes glued to these headliners throughout the year. However, looming in the background, there’s another narrative unfolding — one dictated by market forces, where player card trends reveal a different group of rising stars and those facing a dimmer spotlight as the new season begins.
Enter the realm of the trading card marketplace, where legends are enshrined in cardboard and new prospects spark curiosity (and sometimes, hefty investments). A recent sweep through the Beckett Online Price Guide trends, specifically from the period starting September 21, spotlights four players witnessing a surge in their card values, while four others experience cooler attention with the onset of the season.
First on the ascent, we have the towering presence of Victor Wembanyama. The French colossus standing at 7 foot 3, plays for the San Antonio Spurs and has drawn considerable enthusiasm as he embarks on his third NBA year. Last season might have been curtailed by health issues, but anticipation of his comeback has invigorated the market. With tongues wagging about a potential Defensive Player of the Year award, Wembanyama’s cards, most notably the 2024-25 Panini Hoops Anti Gravity 13, are ascending, carried by an optimistic breeze crafted by hope and speculation.
Next, we journey to Chicago, where Matas Buzelis has rocketed from obscurity to center stage. After solidifying his place among the Bulls’ starting five towards the tail end of last season, his time on the court ballooned from moderate to momentous. In minutes terms, Buzelis’s jump from averaging a modest 14.0 minutes to 26.8, and scoring 13.0 points per game, set a new expectation for year two. This leap in prominence caused hasty escalations in his card values, like the 2024-25 Panini Prizms Green 252, with investors banking on his growing influence.
Drawing our compass towards Los Angeles, we find Bogdan Bogdanovic providing the Clippers with a reliable scoring boost ever since his midseason move last year. Bogdanovic has thrived amidst LA’s revitalized rotation, establishing himself as a shooter who can be counted on. This reputation has quietly nudged his market profile upwards, with card issues reaping solid gains like the 2024-25 Panini Mosaic Purple 138.
Meanwhile, in the far cooler Minnesota climate, Terrence Shannon Jr. had a gradual introduction into their lineup, yet demanded attention with a sustained late-season surge. His performance in securing an extended role did not go unnoticed by collectors, who leaned into his potential as September waved goodbye. Therein lies the draw to 2024-25 Select Orange Flash Prizms 78, signaling the investors’ faith in his future contributions.
Where some rose, others had to face the gravity’s unyielding pull.
Joel Embiid, the formidable center for the Philadelphia 76ers, finds himself in a less favorable light despite his MVP triumph two seasons ago. Injuries have limited Embiid’s playtime to just 58 matches since, accompanied by a recent knee surgery that forces Philadelphia to handle him with caution early in the season. Consequently, his collectible cards, like the 2024-25 Donruss Playmakers 5, have seen a decline as cautious ambiguity lingers.
Zach Edey, a rookie sensation for the Memphis Grizzlies, started strong only to be waylaid by an ankle injury pressing pause on his progress. Anticipating a recovery that might not see its conclusion until two months into the season, prospects have put purchasing on hold, reflecting this hesitancy in the price dials of cards such as the 2024-25 Panini Prizm Black Purple Ice Prizm 64.
Though Jaylen Wells delivered a surprising and commendable rookie campaign for the Grizzlies, the specter of a sophomore slump tickles the minds of collectors. This apprehension nudges his cards downward, a reflection found particularly in 2024-25 Donruss Optic Photon Prizms 252, despite the echoes of his first-year triumphs.
Lastly, Baylor Scheierman, who carved a niche albeit small with the Boston Celtics, intrigues collectors yet remains an enigmatic figure. While glimpses of his capabilities shine — two late-season starts and playoff appearances — the market craves more evidence of consistency before offering a warmer embrace to issues like his 2024-25 Panini Mosaic Rookie Scripts RS-BAY.
As the NBA season glides into view and the bustle of anticipation permeates, players’ legacies are carved out not only on the court but also in the collectors’ market. It’s a dance of speculation and expectation, where fortunes can flip with the swish of a net or the dreaded pop of a ligament. In their cardboard forms, these athletes morph into images of potential or pitfalls, reflecting the pulses, dreams, and hesitations of the fans who follow their every game.
