While it might be easy to think the biggest titans of the NBA Conference Finals battle only on the court, a parallel drama unfolds within the intriguing and swiftly escalating world of sports card trading. Here, the stakes are similarly high, and fortunes can pivot on a dime or, precisely, on a jump shot. It’s a realm where cardboard isn’t mere material, but a canvas for fame, fortune, and a peculiar form of modern alchemy: transforming sheer enthusiasm into tangible assets. As the gravitational pull of the playoffs rises, so too do the stakes in the sports card market, especially for the iconic inserts like Kaboom, Downtown, and Color Blast.
Let’s wind our way through the dueling destinies of the final four teams—Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and the New York Knicks—and see how their star players are affecting the collector’s market.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
First stop, the fast-break force that is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, known affectionately to fans as SGA. If you thought the Thunder’s playoff thunderbolt—no pun intended—was loud, wait until you see its reflection in the world of card trading. SGA’s cards have become hot commodities, not unlike a fine vintage scaling new heights at an auction house. His 2023 One and One Downtown card, emblematic of his rising stardom, hints at broader market trends. The raw card has jumped 7.4% in value over the past 30 days, with its last sale clocking in at a hearty $2,500—up from the month’s earlier low of $1,950.
However, there’s a bit of suspenseful twist with the PSA 10 graded version, which has sunk by 20% with its last transaction pegged at $3,700. This dip might open a smart buy-low window for those seeing value in the Thunder’s possible continued success. Parallel to this, the market has also shown favor towards SGA’s Obsidian Black Color Blast, seeing its raw price stimulatingly rise by 22% to $850. The graded counterpart again offers a gripping opportunity with its last sale at $1,170, promising potential cost-effective thrills.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards
Sliding over to the Timberwolves, Anthony ‘Ant-Man’ Edwards is the kind of athlete whose electrifying style and fearless play make his cards as sought-after as tickets to the Finals themselves. From his 2020 Crown Royale Rookie Kaboom! card to his rarer inserts, everything is on the climb. Even amidst the cacophony of playoff action, there’s a melody in Edwards’ trade as his last raw Kaboom! entertained a princely $2,950 back in March. Meanwhile, his PSA 10 showcases an attractive rise of 2.5%, with its last sale achieving $8,923 in early May. Edwards is indeed staking a claim on several collector wishlists.
Further echoing his thrilling playing spirit, the 2020 One of One Rookie Downtown has seen a raw sale at a hefty $5,800, while the PSA 10 version has jumped a notable 33% to a stunner of $13,000. With playoff prowess and post-season potential, Edwards is proving himself a prime specimen for both courtside and card table excitement.
Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton
Move east, and we find Tyrese Haliburton, the fiery engine driving the Indiana Pacers ahead. He’s not just steering his team’s playoff dreams but simultaneously maneuvering the market’s gaze toward his cards. The 2020 One and One Rookie Downtown has its raw counterpart last selling for $1,500, but the PSA 10 pushes the envelope even higher with a 40% lift, soaring to $4,000.
This should come as little surprise given Haliburton’s blend of leadership and playmaking artistry on the hardwood. Supplementing the card muscularity is his 2023 Spectra Color Blast, which has also enchanted enthusiasts. With its latest raw sale at $830, the PSA 10 counterpart dances in their dreams, last trading at $1,463. Should Indiana carve their path to the Finals, Haliburton’s market prowess might touch unprecedented heights.
New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson
Finally, the Knicks glide into the frame, embodying a rich legacy of hardwood struggles and successes, now redefined in Jalen Brunson’s fearless charge. Knicks’ playoff hopes live and breathe through Brunson, and so does his card market. His 2023 One and One Downtown card shows a unique duality—a raw card decline of 14% last month, selling at $1,100 in early May, balanced beautifully by PSA 10 appreciation up by a whisker-beating 35% to $2,425.
Collectors might ponder snagging a raw copy, submitting it for grading, and banking on a Brunson-led surprise spree. Should the Knicks surprise the league, those holding these compact treasures could see them turn to gold.
These playoffs, thus, are about more than gritty play and buzzer-beaters. As sticks and scores soar, so too do the hopes and gambles of card collectors who remain glued to both the game and their newfound cardboard treasures. Every dribble and drop comes charged with anticipation, as both fans and collectors bet on their preferred kings to flip the cardboard crown.
