As the NBA Conference Finals light up the courts, there’s another sort of game heating up away from the hardwood: the electrifying arena of sports card collectibles. While four teams continue their quest for glory—the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks—the spotlight isn’t just on their on-court performances. Equally captivating is the feverish interest in the sports card market surrounding their franchise stars, especially when it comes to coveted inserts such as Kaboom, Downtown, and Color Blast.
For basketball aficionados and collectors alike, these cards aren’t just glossy memorabilia. They are modern-day tickets to the stardom and potential future legends. Card enthusiasts, much like any savvy investor during playoff season, are acutely aware of the shifts in the market, taking note of fluctuations, gauging when to buy, sell, or hold. Let’s delve into how the market is reacting to these conference heavyweights, and what collectors should keep their eyes peeled for during this gripping playoff stretch.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, once considered an emerging talent, has decisively transformed into a hobby juggernaut. Ever since his team started their deep playoff campaign, the market for his coveted Downtown cards has buzzed with clear intensity. Over the past month, the raw version of his 2023 One and One Downtown card saw an upswing of 7.4%, selling for a hefty $2,500 from a lower May baseline of $1,950.
Yet, the PSA 10 graded version presents an intriguing narrative, having dipped by 20% over the same period, with a last sale tagged at $3,700 on May 15. Perhaps this presents a timely buy-low opportunity for discerning collectors banking on an Oklahoma City thunderous charge through the playoffs. His 2023 Obsidian Black Color Blast has seen raw card prices soar by 22%, with transactions closing at $850. Interestingly, the PSA 10 of this eye-catching card sold recently for $1,170.
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, the promising Anthony Edwards is adding not just points to his playoff games but also value to his collectible inserts. Edwards, a player already recognized as the face of the NBA’s future, has seen his 2020 Crown Royale Rookie Kaboom! cards remain steady with the last raw sale at $2,950. However, his PSA 10 cards have nudged upward by 2.5%, selling for $8,923 earlier this month.
Moreover, the 2020 One of One Rookie Downtown series is where things get particularly intriguing. Edwards’ raw cards closed a deal at $5,800, while PSA 10 counterparts saw a dramatic climb of 33%, commanding a robust $13,000 in recent sales. With Ant-Man delivering consistent playoff heroics, these rare finds are positioned as formidable long-term caches for those preserving gems in their stockpile.
In Indiana, Tyrese Haliburton’s inspiring leadership and court charisma aren’t just elevating his team; they’re punching up his card market deeply. His notable 2020 One and One Rookie Downtown recorded its last raw sale at $1,500 in March, and PSA 10 versions have experienced a meteoric 40% rise, fetching $4,000 as of May 8. When the icy brightness of the 2023 Spectra Color Blast is considered, the market enthusiasm maintains its stirring pace. Raw versions recorded sales at $830, while PSA 10 specimens fetched up to $1,463. Should the Pacers etch their name into the finals, Haliburton’s modern inserts could very well rocket to unprecedented heights.
In the lively ambiance of New York, Jalen Brunson’s resilient leadership trajectory has not dimmed, even as his 2023 One and One Downtown cards project mixed signals. The raw cards witnessed a diminutive decline of 14% over recent weeks, with the last sale tallying $1,100. However, the PSA 10 variant has shifted inversely, soaring by an impressive 35%, rounding sales off at $2,425.
So what’s the savvy hobby play here for the Knicks’ underdog path enthusiasts? Secure a raw copy of Brunson’s card, send it for grading and cling onto it through the playoff chaos. If the Knicks do the unthinkable and triumph their odds, collectors might find themselves grasping miniature gold mines.
Whether you’re an earnest collector fueled by a passion for the game, an investor scouting for the elusive jackpot, or simply a fan enamored by the cultural zeitgeist of basketball memorabilia, these cards deliver more than just eye-catching visuals. They are timestamps of brilliance and memorabilia of hope that echo the dynamism of these rising titans on the path to the top.