As the NBA Conference Finals electrify courts across the nation, there’s another arena where the stakes are just as high. No, it’s not the screaming fans or the nail-biting finishes, but rather the ever-intensifying world of sports card collecting. Four teams remain in the hunt: the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks, each boasting franchise players whose cards have become as sought-after as courtside seats during this thrilling playoff crescendo.
Collectors don’t just see basketball cards as pieces of cardboard—they’re precious commodities, especially when emblemed with iconic designs like Kaboom, Downtown, and Color Blast. These collectables narrate stories of basketball prowess, much like the players themselves. Let’s journey through the hoop dreams and cardboard currencies of these final contenders.
Starting off with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the spotlight is on their rising luminary, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, affectionately known as SGA. His transformation from a promising guard to an indispensible asset is shaping both his team’s journey deeper into the playoffs and his card valuation. His 2023 One and One Downtown card is capturing this momentum, with raw prices reflecting a modest yet significant 7.4% increase in the last month. The latest sale touched $2,500, a respectable jump from May’s early bare minimum of $1,950. However, it’s not all fireworks, as SGA’s PSA 10 rating—the gold standard for collectors—somehow dipped 20%, clocking the last sale at $3,700 on May 15.
But hold the phone, the 2023 Obsidian Black Color Blast offers an alternate saga. There’s a rainbow at the end of this marvelously named storm. More adventurous investors who ventured into raw forms have witnessed a brighter 22% hike, with figures currently hovering at a sweet $850. Mirroring this positive trend, PSA 10s surfaced at $1,170. If OKC continues their promising run, the winds could favor those seeking a buy-low opportunity in pristine PSA 10 forms of SGA.
Zooming northward, the Minnesota Timberwolves bring forth Anthony Edwards. Known as Ant-Man, Edwards is more than an iconic character; he’s a pivotal face of the NBA, both on the court and in collections. His 2020 Crown Royale Rookie Kaboom! card is already a gem, previously fetching $2,950 raw by March’s front. Edwards’ PSA 10 editions felt the heat, witnessing a polished 2.5% climb to round out at $8,923 as of May 7.
Meanwhile, the 2020 One of One Rookie Downtown provides another ravishing card odyssey. In a rare vanishing act, collectors lucky enough to grab raw cards saw their last spot at $5,800, yet the story unfolds loftily for PSA 10s—the enigma escalated 33%, peaking at a princely $13,000. Here’s betting on consistent playoff zeal from Edwards to keep these precious inserts as a shrewd, long-term hold for serious hobbyists.
Now trade winds guide us to Indiana, where Tyrese Haliburton is garnering momentum and his 2020 One and One Rookie Downtown card reaps its reward. A sheer emblem of leadership and talent, Haliburton’s raw card posted a sale of $1,500 way back on March 10, yet it’s the PSA 10s reveling in the fanfare, marked by an enthusiastic 40% surge to top off at $4,000 by May 8. Returning to present days, his 2023 Spectra Color Blast carries priced stakes, selling raw at $830, while PSA 10 grades further accentuate the value, closing deals at $1,463. Should Indiana power its way to the NBA Finals, expect Haliburton cards to reach dizzying ascents.
Lastly, the New York Knicks arise as the quintessential underdogs with Jalen Brunson stirring the charge. Straddling the line between surprise sensation and collection staple, Brunson’s 2023 One and One Downtown cards reflect divergent landscapes. Raw card investors faced a 14% decline over the past month, the last trade scribbling $1,100 on May 5. Yet, the PSA 10 continues its upward march, experiencing a robust 35% ascension and currently pricing at $2,425. The expert’s challenge? Nab a raw edition, court the grader, and find joy in both the playoff frenzy and potential fortunes if the Knicks defy expectations.
The NBA Conference Finals aren’t just a showcase of athletic prowess. It’s a narrative of hopes, underdogs, and outliers. It’s about players evolving from court stars to cardboard icons, each breathe taking move on hardwood echoed in the heartbeats of collectors worldwide. Just like a game well-played, the card market requires strategy, anticipation, and the occasional leap of faith. And as finals fever grips both courts and collections, only time will illuminate whose investments transform into touchdowns… metaphorically speaking, of course.
