As the curtain rises on the 2025-26 NBA season, it’s not just the action on the hardwood that’s drawing attention. The world of NBA trading cards is abuzz with market fluctuations that echo the performance and potential of key players. Enthusiasts and collectors alike have set their sights on who might shine and who might falter this season, making for an intriguing watch both on and off the court.
The NBA’s tip-off had the perfect opening act, with a made-for-TV doubleheader that placed the league’s brightest stars in the spotlight. On one end, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, basking in the glory of last season’s championship with the Thunder, takes to the court, now playing alongside the formidable Kevin Durant, who has found a new home with the Rockets. Meanwhile, on the West Coast, LeBron James teams up with Luka Dončić to steer the Lakers against the perennial championship contenders, the Warriors, led by Stephen Curry.
As fans fix their gaze upon these basketball legends, there’s another ensemble quietly but assuredly affecting the trading card market. Since September 21, insights from the Beckett Online Price Guide have unveiled a quartet of players whose cards are witnessing a steady ascent, alongside another four that are eyeing a potential decline.
First in the lineup of risers is the towering Victor Wembanyama. The San Antonio Spurs’ prodigious talent seemed poised for a breakout last season before an untimely health setback shelved his campaign halfway through. Entering his third year, anticipation is palpable around his defensive prowess, with talks of him in the mix for Defensive Player of the Year, assuming he can maintain his fitness. This optimism has charged the trading card scene, driving up demand for cards like his 2024-25 Panini Hoops Anti Gravity 13.
Next is Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls, a player who turned heads with his late-season promotion to the starting lineup. His scoring average saw a marked increase, going from 5.8 points in brief stints to a commendable 13.0 points as a starter. This leap in productivity has not gone unnoticed by collectors, who are betting on his continued ascension, reflected in an uptick for cards like the 2024-25 Panini Prizms Green 252.
The Clippers’ Bogdan Bogdanovic stands beside them, a sharpshooter whose midseason transition rejuvenated Los Angeles’s playoff ambitions. As the Clippers enter the new season with a revamped roster, his cards have enjoyed significant interest, with issues like the 2024-25 Panini Mosaic Purple 138 seeing a pricing boost.
Rounding out the cadre of climbers is Minnesota’s Terrence Shannon Jr. A slow start to his professional journey gave way to a strong finish, setting up an opportunity for an expanded role this season. Enthusiasts, watching his trajectory, have shown growing faith in his potential, pushing up the value of cards such as the 2024-25 Select Orange Flash Prizms 78.
Yet, in the dynamic ebb and flow of the market, not every player emerges on the ascendancy. There’s also a shortlist of those facing a potential decline in value, possibly offering bargain windows for astute collectors.
Joel Embiid, for instance, is an enigma wrapped in layers of talent and question marks. Just two seasons removed from an MVP laurel, injuries have limited him to playing just 58 games. Fresh off knee surgery and with Philadephia expected to tread cautiously, Embiid’s trading cards, like the 2024-25 Donruss Playmakers 5, signal a cooling trend in anticipation of seeing him robustly return to form.
Similarly cautious is the reception for Zach Edey. The rookie who started strong for Memphis finds himself sidelined with an ankle injury, setting a tentative expectation for his performance during this pause. This has seen buyers hold back somewhat, resulting in restrained trading for cards like his 2024-25 Panini Prizm Black Purple Ice Prizm 64.
Jaylen Wells, who impressed as a second-round selection playing meaningful minutes for the Grizzlies, now faces the notorious sophomore slump. Despite a commendable first year, the market is wary, pulling back slightly on cards such as the 2024-25 Donruss Optic Photon Prizms 252.
Lastly, Baylor Scheierman is observed with skepticism following a limited role in Boston last year. He experienced a minor resurgence late in the season, but questions linger over his consistency and performance, leading to a softening in value for his rookies like the 2024-25 Panini Mosaic Rookie Scripts RS-BAY.
As the new NBA season unfolds, so too does the saga of trading card values, reflecting not just the players’ past performances but the hopes invested in their futures. Whether a collector or a casual fan, the tides of these value shortlists serve as a reminder that in the world of sports, there are players both written and unwritten—each holding the promise of rewriting histories and market dynamics alike.
