If basketball cards were stocks, you’d be looking at some fascinating movements right about now. As the NBA Conference Finals captivate fans, a different kind of drama unfolds in the sports card market. Welcome to the whirlwind universe of card collectibles, where iconic inserts like Kaboom, Downtown, and Color Blast rule and market floors rise and fall depending on a player’s on-court prowess. With only the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks standing, collectors have sharp eyes on their franchise stars, assessing which cards will make them collide with a fortune or perhaps just a hardcourt mirage.
Let’s embark on this cardboard adventure, breaking down team by team how their stars are influencing the trends and what moves are ripe for hobbyists eager to score.
**Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander**
Imagine Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, once a promising guard, now turned collectible colossus in the hobby world. As the Thunder push deeper into the playoffs, SGA’s Downtown card market appears to mirror this momentum. The raw version of his 2023 One and One Downtown card has shot up by 7.4% over the last month. The last non-graded sale went for a striking $2,500, jumping from early May’s dip of $1,950. However, the PSA 10 graded version tells a tale of caution, dropping by 20% with the most recent sale tag of $3,700 on May 15. This drop offers a classic buy-low opportunity for collectors banking on Oklahoma City’s continued success.
Switching gears to SGA’s 2023 Obsidian Black Color Blast edition, the raw price has surged by 22% to a solid $850, while a PSA 10 fetched $1,170 recently. Collectors sizing up this market see a slightly more optimistic horizon, assuming the Thunder’s run doesn’t buckle.
**Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards**
Affectionately dubbed “Ant-Man,” Anthony Edwards isn’t just swatting shots; he’s making the card world buzz with excitement. If the Timberwolves make it to the Finals, collectors might witness Edwards’ cards rocketing astronomically. His 2020 Crown Royale Rookie Kaboom! recently pushed raw sales to $2,950 as of March 1. A PSA 10 version has escalated by 2.5%, raising its last sale to an impressive $8,923 earlier this May.
As we delve into the realm of Downtown magic, Edwards’ 2020 One of One Rookie Downtown has seen the raw version settling pretty at $5,800. Graded by PSA at a perfect 10, these pieces are up by a staggering 33%, clocking in at $13,000. For those patient enough for potentially emerging stars, Ant-Man’s rare inserts could be the ideal treasure for a long-term collector’s vault.
**Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton**
Transitioning to the Indiana Pacers, we see Tyrese Haliburton leading the team’s charge while his card market gallops behind him. His 2020 One and One Rookie Downtown raw card last sold for a steady $1,500 in March. Meanwhile, the graded PSA 10 is enjoying a comfortable 40% upswing, marking its latest sale at $4,000.
On the colorful landscape, Haliburton’s 2023 Spectra Color Blast is painting promising market highs. It stands at $830 raw, whereas a PSA 10 version notched a rewarding $1,463. If Indiana sails through to the Finals, anticipate Haliburton’s contemporary inserts to break higher ceilings and splurge a lucrative season for collectors.
**New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson**
Finally, we tread the iconic courts of Madison Square Garden with Jalen Brunson lighting the path for an underdog-originated narrative to the Conference Finals. There lies a market paradox between Brunson’s 2023 One and One Downtown raw card and its graded counterpart. While raw copies have seen a slide, down 14% over the past month to $1,100, the PSA 10 versions are thriving, up by an enthralling 35%, with the last sale tagged at $2,425.
For savvy collectors, there’s a crafty maneuver worth considering: grab a raw Brunson card, have it graded, and watch the playoff wave lift the card’s value to championship-worthy heights. Should the Knicks pull off a Cinderella story, collectors holding onto Brunson cards might feel like they hit the lottery jackpot.
All in all, the whirlwind of the NBA Conference Finals offers more than edge-of-the-seat thrills for fans; it also maps a labyrinthine chase for card collectors. As players lace up for hardcourt battles, watchful hobbyists gear up to seize moments of market brilliance. These dynamic ardors cross-pollinate between sports and collectibles, proving that not only box scores but also card sales reflect players leaping into legendary status.
