The dawn of a new NBA season isn’t just a thrilling time for basketball fans but also a high-stakes opening bell for collectors keen to see which players will make or break their portfolios. As the latest NBA spectacle begins, featuring a made-for-TV basketball doubleheader, traders cast their gaze on potential gold mines or money sinks in the form of trading cards. This season’s opener is a veritable all-star showcase: the defending champion Thunder, fortified by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, faces the star-studded Rockets with new addition Kevin Durant, while the Los Angeles Lakers, with the reigning kings LeBron James and Luka Dončić, square off against Stephen Curry’s ever-formidable Warriors.
While the superstars grab the headlines and much of the camera’s focus during the game, collectors know the real action might happen in the mid-tier and developing stars. They keep a vigilant eye on upcoming talents whose trading cards could double as Willy Wonka’s golden tickets if they play their cards—or, rather, game—right. Since September 21, the Beckett Online Price Guide has pinpointed intriguing shifts in player card values. Let’s dive into four athletes whose stars are rising and four whose stock is currently in the proverbial doghouse.
First up, let’s discuss those whose performance or perceived potential has made their cards the hot ticket in town. Victor Wembanyama, the towering 7 foot 3 centerpiece of the Spurs, is poised for a comeback of sorts. If the young star can avoid the fate of Humpty Dumpty and stay intact this time, he could be a force on the defensive end. It’s this possibility of winning the Defensive Player of the Year that has collectors scrambling for his cards like people for toilet paper during an apocalyptic event. With his card’s trajectory symbolically flicking the nose of gravity, Wembanyama is back on collectors’ radars in a big way.
Meanwhile, Matas Buzelis impressed enough to crack Chicago’s starting five towards the end of last season. Averaging a humble 5.8 points in 14 minutes pre-promotion, he exploded to 13 points in almost 27 minutes post-promotion. Looking every bit like a player ready to raise the stakes, his cards are rising as enthusiasts place bets on a second-year surge.
Then there’s Bogdan Bogdanovic, who turned a midseason Clippers move into a scoring festival—a sort of Mardi Gras for the stat sheet. The sharp shooter injected adrenaline into Los Angeles’ playoff hopes, and traders think his third act will be even more compelling. His card prices, emanating purple-hued charm, have gone up steeper than a Los Angeles hillside.
Finally, Terrence Shannon Jr. slid into the spotlight with a late-surge in Minnesota, proving that patience—along with a dash of potential—pays off. Now, as he gears up for what promises to be a more featured role, collectors are banking on the idea that the Shannon Show will pull in spectacular ratings this season—and his card prices have the wind firmly in their sails.
Now, for every up, there is a down; not everyone can be touching the astral heights of collector esteem. Take Joel Embiid, for example. Once a league MVP, injuries have seen him confined to just 58 games over two seasons. Fresh from knee surgery, Philadelphia adopts a careful strategy reminiscent of tiptoeing around a sleeping dragon. Collectors wait to see if he can string together a healthy run, the bated breath reflected in the gently cooling market for his cards.
On similar uncertain grounds is Zach Edey. Initially, he looked to be the ray of rookie sunshine in Memphis. Alas, an untimely ankle injury has him benched as the season begins, forcing potential card buyers into a wait-and-see mode. The delay in his return means patience is measured by cooled interest in his deck offerings.
Then there’s Jaylen Wells, a second-round revelation who surprised many with solid minutes for the Grizzlies. However, a sophomore slump isn’t beyond the realm of possibility and this fear is engraving itself on his card prices, leaving them more frozen than an overly ambitious winter wardrobe.
Lastly, Baylor Scheierman remains a microscopic blip on the Celtics’ radar. Though he teased with starter spots and moments of playoff play, collectors remain hungry for more substantial evidence of his talent. Hence, his cards have drifted into a lower shelf as buyers seek more concrete proof of his potential.
In the mesmerizing dance between the court and collectors, there’s a Proustian joy in the unexpected narratives of players’ careers. For some, the sky remains the limit; for others, clouds hover uncertainly. As the 2025-26 NBA season unfolds, watch carefully—transactions in this cardboard stock market can be more unpredictable than the games themselves.
