The arrival of the 2025-26 NBA season brings with it all the thrill and spectacle fans have come to expect from the league. As usual, the season’s tip-off showcased a spectacular made-for-TV doubleheader. The defending champions, Oklahoma City Thunder, led by the electric Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, faced off against the Houston Rockets and their newly acquired star, Kevin Durant. On the opposite coast, legends clashed as LeBron James and Luka Dončić of the Lakers went head-to-head with Stephen Curry and his Warriors. A blockbuster opening night, indeed, yet the real action in the collectible card market is being driven by less-heralded talents keen on making their mark.
Since September 21, a brisk sweep through Beckett Online Price Guide trends has illuminated a tale of two halves—four players on an exciting ascent and another four experiencing the pull of gravity as the season begins.
Victor Wembanyama, the towering figure from the San Antonio Spurs standing at a staggering 7 foot 3, is proving ready to make headlines again. After enduring a truncated spell last season due to health concerns, he enters his third year with murmurs of a possible Defensive Player of the Year campaign buzzing around him. His marketability mirrors this optimism, with a significant bump in demand for his cards. The 2024-25 Panini Hoops Anti Gravity 13 is now a must-have for collectors betting on Wembanyama’s explosive return to form.
Over in Chicago, Matas Buzelis maneuvered his way into the starting lineup toward the end of last season, shattering previous expectations. Previously averaging a modest 5.8 points in 14 minutes, his promotion has seen him soaring to 13 points in 26.8 minutes per game. This meteoric rise has piqued interest in his rookie cards, particularly the 2024-25 Panini Prizms Green 252, as savvy collectors speculate on his capacity for an even bigger role in the Bulls’ future.
The Los Angeles Clippers, replenished and reloaded, are making strides thanks to sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic who provided them with both stability and firepower after a midseason trade. His consistent performance as a seasoned shooter has not gone unnoticed, with his Panini Mosaic Purple 138 card seeing upward movement. Bogdanovic’s role in the Clippers’ playoffs pursuit has undoubtedly enhanced his appeal among collectors anticipating a standout season ahead.
Terrence Shannon Jr., meanwhile, made a lasting impression at the end of last season. Although his tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves began slowly, Shannon demonstrated his value when provided with more minutes. His performance convinced both coaches and the card market alike, resulting in an increased interest in his 2024-25 Select Orange Flash Prizms 78 card. As September wrapped up, all signs pointed to an expanded role for the guard, with collectors keenly observing his development.
Not all tales, however, are of rise and shine; some players are encountering a temporary lull in their stock market values, which may present intriguing opportunities for bargain hunters.
Joel Embiid, for instance, is a mere two years removed from capturing the MVP title. Yet, the star center has played just 58 games over the past two seasons due to injuries, with his most recent battle being knee surgery. Philadelphia intends to tread carefully, tempering expectations and resultant hobby interest in Embiid’s 2024-25 Donruss Playmakers 5 card until he stacks up numerous healthy weeks.
Similarly, Zach Edey started his career with significant aplomb as a rookie for the Memphis Grizzlies. However, an untimely ankle injury will see Edey begin this season on hiatus. Consequently, the market is anticipating a potential two-month delay in his scheduled play time, causing a pause in the buying of his Panini Prizm Black Purple Ice Prizm 64 card as potential buyers adopt a wait-and-see approach.
Jaylen Wells exceeded expectations as a second-round draftee clocking significant minutes for the Grizzlies. Yet the “sophomore slump” is a credible concern in NBA circles. His recent pricing reflects these apprehensions, as his 2024-25 Donruss Optic Photon Prizms 252 cards fail to maintain last season’s height despite a commendable rookie year.
Finally, Baylor Scheierman, dressed in Boston green, remains somewhat of an enigma in the trading card market. With only a modest role and a sprinkling of impressive performances, including two starts and playoff appearances, collectors appear hesitant to push his cards higher without more consistent exposure. Thus, his Panini Mosaic Rookie Scripts RS-BAY experiences a gentle decline, awaiting proof from Scheierman in his quest for regular minutes with the Celtics.
As tip-off excitement fades into the grind of a long NBA season, these fluctuating market insights serve as a reminder of the ever-changing tides in the world of sports collectibles, where value can rise and wane as quickly as the players they depict take a leap or a fall on the court. Whether you’re on the hunt for a rising star or spotting a diamond in the rough, the card market’s twists and turns promise an exhilarating ride.