As the leaves begin to change and the crisp air of fall ushers in a new NBA season, excitement for basketball is palpable. The 2025-26 season has tipped off with a dazzling array of matchups, notably featuring a star-studded doubleheader on national TV. Defending champion Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, welcomed Kevin Durant and the Rockets—a reunion of sorts for Durant in Oklahoma, albeit this time as an opponent. The spectacle continued with the Los Angeles Lakers, boasting the legendary LeBron James alongside the talented Luka Dončić, facing off against the high-flying Golden State Warriors and their sharpshooter, Stephen Curry.
While these headliners capture the limelight, the world of NBA card collectors has been buzzing with a different set of stars. Over the past month, several players have witnessed noteworthy shifts in their card values, according to Beckett Online Price Guide trends, leaving fans and collectors intrigued by the unfolding narratives and potential investment opportunities.
Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ towering talent, is one such player making waves. Standing at an imposing 7 foot 3 inches, Wembanyama missed a significant portion of his sophomore season due to health concerns. However, as he embarks on his third year, the air buzzes with anticipation. His defensive prowess has fueled discussions of a potential Defensive Player of the Year run—a tantalizing prospect for Spurs fans and collectors alike. Spurred on by this optimism, the value of Wembanyama’s cards has ascended significantly, hinting at a resurgence and readiness to dominate the hardwood once more. His 2024-25 Panini Hoops Anti Gravity card has become a sought-after piece for collectors eager to bet on his upside.
In Chicago, Matas Buzelis has transformed expectations after breaking into the Bulls’ starting lineup late last season. Initially averaging a modest 5.8 points over 14 minutes per game, Buzelis doubled his production to 13 points across 26.8 minutes as a starter. This impressive leap has reset expectations for his sophomore stint, prompting collectors to scour for his cards, anticipating an even more influential role. His 2024-25 Panini Prizms Green card reflects this newfound optimism, as collectors queue up, betting on another step forward.
Across the continent in Los Angeles, Bogdan Bogdanovic has begun carving a niche for himself within the Clippers’ offense. A midseason move revitalized his connection with fans and his new teammates, boosting the Clippers’ rotation. His consistent scoring ability has not gone unnoticed in the wider collector sphere, where the market has reflected faith in Bogdanovic’s future performances. The 2024-25 Panini Mosaic Purple card of his is seeing its stock rise, driven by this confidence.
Meanwhile, Terrence Shannon Jr. in Minnesota has been meticulously making a name for himself. After a somewhat gradual start, Shannon burst onto the scene, affirming his place in the Timberwolves’ lineup through determined performances. His end-of-season form was enough to rekindle hopes of an expanded role, prompting card prices to bump upward as collectors buy into his potential. Many are drawn to his 2024-25 Select Orange Flash Prizms card, eyeing it as a piece that could pay off as his stature grows.
Yet, not all stories this season have a radiant beginning. Joel Embiid, who once strode the courts as an MVP, finds himself in a more cautious narrative. Having played only 58 games across two seasons, and with recent knee surgery fresh in his past, the Philadelphia 76ers are treating Embiid with care. As fans hold their breath, hoping for his full return to form, the hobby has cooled slightly on his cards. His 2024-25 Donruss Playmakers card, once a beacon of promise, sees modest fluctuations as buyers adopt a patient approach.
In Memphis, Zach Edey has faced his own challenges. A promising rookie start was abruptly hampered by an ankle injury, dashing expectations and delaying his season’s launch for possibly two months. This uncertainty has understandably led to a lull in the trading of his cards. His 2024-25 Panini Prizm Black Purple Ice Prizm card reflects this uncertain pause, awaiting the return of its bearer.
Jaylen Wells, a surprise package last year, now battles against the potential sophomore slump—a thorny reality for many young players. Collectors show cautious hesitance as they reevaluate his potential regression, causing subtle drops in his card value, notably his 2024-25 Donruss Optic Photon Prizms card.
Then there’s Baylor Scheierman in Boston, who despite a late-season stir, remains an enigma for collectors. His limited appearances don’t quite suffice in justifying a bullish outlook from the collecting community. As a result, his 2024-25 Panini Mosaic Rookie Scripts card has seen decreases as investors await more substantial proof of his capabilities.
As the season embarks on its journey, these stock watches hint at the intricate dance between player performance and collector sentiment in the dynamic world of NBA cards. It’s a reflective tapestry, woven with dreams and statistics, showcasing the ever-evolving landscape where reality meets the hopes of fandom and finance. The thrills, surprises, and drama of basketball find unique echoes here, with cards standing as cherished tokens of belief and speculation.
