The curtain has finally lifted on the new NBA season, and with it comes a doubleheader showcase that spills over with enough star power to rival a Hollywood premiere. On one end, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder stand firm, welcoming the newly acquired Kevin Durant into Houston’s fold like an estranged king returning to the court. Meanwhile, the night continues to sparkle as LeBron James and Luka Dončić, draped in Lakers glitz, face off against Stephen Curry and his trusty Warriors.
Yet even as this galaxy of NBA titans dazzles primetime audiences and aficionados clutching their coveted viewing arrangements, another group of players are making their own quieter but equally captivating impact. With the help of a monthlong deep dive into the Beckett Online Price Guide, we uncover four players whose stock has surged and four whose worth has taken an unfortunate tumble as the season commences.
First on the rise is none other than basketball’s elongated enigma: Victor Wembanyama. The towering luminary of the San Antonio Spurs stands at a remarkable 7 foot 3, and after weathering some health issues last season, he returns with whispers vibrating about a potential push for Defensive Player of the Year. His time off the court only seemed to stoke anticipation, and as the buzz grew, so too did the value of his trading cards. Enthusiasts have driven up his card prices, driven by the promise of defensive dominance on an unparalleled scale. Perhaps Wembanyama is ready to prove that giants still cast large shadows.
Next is Chicago’s rising star, Matas Buzelis, who hustled his way into the starting lineup late last season and rewrote the script on expectations for his sophomore year. From averaging a humble 5.8 points in his debut minutes to scoring 13.0 as a starter, Buzelis demonstrated that he’s more than ready for increased responsibility. Buyers have taken notice, nudging his card prices upward as they wager on his ascending trajectory. Indeed, Buzelis’ burst into the basketball spotlight suggests a bright future ahead, whether on the court or gracing card collections around the globe.
Further west, a midseason move has reignited the career of Bogdan Bogdanovic, whose transition to the LA Clippers turned him into a valuable asset in their playoff pursuit. Known for his scoring shock and awe, Bogdanovic finds himself poised within a newly-refined rotation, and his reliability as a marksman has seen a recalibration in his market profile. His card prices are reflecting this new dawn of interest, positioning Bogdanovic as an intriguing player to watch as collectors seek to capture this renaissance moment in cardboard form.
Rounding out our stock risers is Terrence Shannon Jr., who methodically maneuvered his way into the Timberwolves’ crucial minutes. The 6 foot 6 guard exhibited the prowess necessary to justify a bigger role, and collectors have responded with considerable interest in September. As Shannon Jr. gains ground in real-time, his trading cards follow suit, offering a tangible connection to his growth on the court.
While these players find themselves on an ascent, others aren’t sharing the same fortune—a development that, to the keen eye of a collector, might suggest opportunities lurking amid adversity.
Joel Embiid, only two seasons departed from a coveted MVP win, finds himself in a cooling period for his card prices. Time has not been overly kind, imposing an unwelcome burden of injuries and a mere 58 games to his name since then. Now, as he emerges from knee surgery, Philadelphia’s approach with caution, spectators wait in eager trepidation to see a semblance of his former brilliance manifest consistently once more.
In Memphis, Zach Edey kicked off his rookie year with energy and enthusiasm, only to be sidelined by an ankle injury. With the potential for months on the mend, enthusiasts are momentarily cautious, reflecting this pause with a dip in his card prices. Edey’s promising start still simmers beneath the surface, waiting for its moment to reignite.
The sophomore slump looms for Jaylen Wells, whose surprising debut for the Grizzlies etched a story of success. Yet, the second chapter is often a challenging one, and buyers hesitated, waiting to see if his skills can withstand another round of scrutiny. His card values dipped slightly as a result, caution wrapped around otherwise optimistic spirits.
Lastly, Boston’s Baylor Scheierman takes the stage for just a cameo in this frenzy of fluctuating fortunes. Despite some promising glimpses in late play and playoff appearances, his role remains undefined in the grand scheme. Collectors have shown equal restraint, preferring to sit quietly on their hands until Scheierman’s impact suggests a more prominent narrative, leading his card prices to gently edge downward.
As the season finds its rhythm and players settle into their roles, these exercises in ups and downs provide a captivating subplot to the NBA’s central saga. For collectors, the evolving landscape presents ample chapters to unfold, reflecting the ever-shifting dynamics of the sport.