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Last Updated On: February 2nd, 2024
To get you geared up for the NBA season, we’ve put together this “2023-24 Basketball Cards Buyer’s Guide”. We’re digging through the weeds to find some nice deals that, depending on how the season plays out, could pay off nicely!
In this post, we’ll cover cards and players worth monitoring as the season progresses. From potential first time All-Stars, to come-back candidates and diamonds in the rough, there’s a little something for every collector regardless of goals and budget.
Jump to Basketball wax Featuring 2023 Rookie Class
Editor note: keep in mind buying sports cards comes with risk of financial loss. Please do your own due diligence and do not consider our excitement around the players mentioned throughout this post as financial advice, or any sure-fire winners.
Table of Contents
2023-24 Basketball Cards: Factors to Consider
Before jumping into specific players, let’s take a moment to discuss methodology, i.e. the factors considered when making this list. Keep in mind that this post is season-specific (2023-2024 season precisely). So you won’t be seeing any vintage cards, although we do have you covered in our comprehensive basketball collector’s guide.
Has the Player Peaked?
When speculating about a particular card, one of the most important factors to consider is a player’s ceiling. In other words, what’s the best-case scenario for a player’s performance, and have they hit that yet? Is there reason to believe they can go up a level?
It will come as little surprise that younger players feature heavily in this list for this very reason. Veterans and in-prime players likely won’t hit another gear, but a second or third-year guy tends to have plenty of room to grow.
Award Odds (e.g. ROY, MVP, Etc.)
In today’s sports scene, we’re inundated with over-unders, betting props, and spicy teasers. While we may not have a crystal ball to predict the future, we do have access to the second-best thing: Vegas.
One of the best ways to gauge how folks feel about a given player is by simply consulting the odds books. For instance, Joel Embiid was the second favorite to win MVP last July, while Paolo Banchero was the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year.
Team Success
The better a player’s team performs, the more valuable their card is worth. That’s a factor in this post and pretty much any other post related to sports cards out there.
Card Value and Scarcity
A card’s value is generally determined by a host of factors, including scarcity. It’s a factor we’ve considered here in this post as we examine the best NBA cards to invest in 2023. For this post, all values/prices come from Card Ladder unless otherwise noted.
2023 Rookie Class
Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs
The cream of this year’s draft crop (and, perhaps, the best of the last 20 years) is Victor Wembanyama. The French phenom went first overall to the San Antonio Spurs, an organization known for nurturing superstar talent.
Already a defensive force, Wemby may well be one of the best defensive centers in the league the moment he steps on the floor. Add in the unique ability to space the floor, and he’s certainly a unicorn talent. He’s currently the favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
Scoot Henderson – Portland Trailblazers
In just about any other draft, Scoot Henderson would have gone first overall. The explosive guard spent two seasons in the G-League before hearing his name called second overall to the Portland Trailblazers.
Now that Damian Lillard has moved on from PDX, the Blazers will hand over the keys to Henderson and fellow youngster Shaedon Sharpe (who also features on this list). Henderson currently has the second-best odds for ROY, earning comps to Russell Westbrook for his athleticism and motor.
Best Rookie Cards to Invest in 2023
Our very first look at the 2023 class on NBA-licensed cards is with NBA Hoops, which dropped November 22, 2023 (see search links below).
Another product collectors are chasing — given the popularity of the Prizm brand — is 2023 Panini Prizm Draft Picks, released on October 25, 2023. While players are not featured in their NBA jerseys in the Prizm DP product, that’s not stopping folks from paying hundreds, or thousands of dollars for Wemby rookie cards on eBay.
For the uberpopular Panini Prizm (not DP but the real deal), collectors can finally get their hands on hobby boxes February 7th, with boxes available for sale on eBay.
Product update: 2023-24 Panini Prizm Basketball hobby wax will debut February 7, 2024 (eBay search links below).
As far as Flawless, and National Treasures brands, get comfy — we probably won’t see those for another few months.
For the here and now, the following card brands are available featuring both stars of the 2023 rookie class, Scoot and Wemby:
Products Featuring 2023 Rookie Class
- *NEW* 2023 Panini Prizm Basketball wax (search eBay)
- *NEW* 2023 Donruss Basketball wax (search eBay)
- 2023 NBA Hoops (search eBay)
- 2023 Panini Prizm Draft Picks Basketball (search eBay)
- 2023 Topps Now Basketball (search eBay)
- 2023 Sports Illustrated for Kids (search eBay)
- 2023 Bowman University (search eBay)
One thing of note: Panini’s time atop the NBA card market might be coming to an end soon. As it stands, Fanatics (which owns Topps) holds the league’s licensing beginning in 2026, when Panini’s expires. Fanatics has already pre-empted that date, having Topps produce a slate of NBA cards this season (hence the “Topps Now” release).
The company can’t use any official NBA logos, as the license doesn’t kick in for a few more years, which will keep its card values low for now, but we could be headed for a new future in NBA card collecting.
We’ll update this post with additional rookie cards as various products are released through the course of the basketball season. Be sure to bookmark it!
Stars, Veterans, and Hall of Fame
Buying an established superstar or future Hall of Famer’s card is a bit like buying shares of Apple. It may lack the boom-or-bust quality, meaning less return, but you can rest assured that your investment probably won’t tank.
For this post, we’re focusing mainly on the investments that could pay off based on this season’s performances. As a result, you won’t see many Hall of Famers highlighted here.
That said, there are a few spots involving established stars that might be of interest to an investor.
LeBron James
First, LeBron James. This season, James is almost certainly going to become the first player to score 40,000 points. It’s an impressive feat that might see his card values temporarily increase, much in the way they did last season when he beat Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record in February, 2023. No promises, but record-breaking occasions usually drive up interest in a player’s card.
LeBron James Basketball Cards to Target:
- 2003 Topps LeBron James #221
- Raw Value: $183.84
- PSA 10 Value: $1,567.99
- Year to Date Average PSA 10 Price (if applicable): $1,998.84
- 2003 Topps Chrome LeBron James #111
- Raw Value: $599.07
- PSA 10 Value: $5,572.05
- Year to Date Average PSA 10 Price (if applicable): $6,079.53
Vince Carter
The second big event is one that won’t come this season. Rather, next summer, Vince Carter will likely be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. This probably isn’t on many folks’ radar right now, so getting in on the cards early and then selling high when there’s a healthy dose of nostalgia for Vinsanity could make for a solid return.
Consider targeting his 1998 Upper Deck Rookie Watch, which comes in a /100 Bronze parallel valued at $969 in PSA 10. And given the immense popularity of Kabooms, another solid play could be his 2020 Kaboom Insert valued at around $400 raw.
The “Get In Now” Group
In this group, we’ll touch on a host of young players who have shown tantalizing promise thus far in their young careers. Barring a horrific setback, these guys are going to come through in a big way.
They aren’t stars – yet. But one day, you’ll be glad you have these players.
Shaedon Sharpe – Portland Trailblazers
Goodbye, Damian Lillard. Hello, Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson! Sharpe was a top recruit out of high school but played limited college ball under Coach Calipari at the University of Kentucky. His first season in Portland wasn’t the most exciting on the box score, but he flashed serious potential and athleticism. Now that Damian Lillard has moved on, the backcourt is firmly in his and Scoot Henderson’s hands.
Shaedon Sharpe Basketball Cards to Target:
- 2022 Panini Prizm Silver Shaedon Sharpe #250
- Raw Value: $4.68
- PSA 10 Value: $191.06
- Average Value Over Last Year (if applicable): n/a
Franz Wagner – Orlando Magic
If there were a redraft of the 2021 NBA Lottery today, Wagner would probably compete for the top pick. Would he unseat Cade Cunningham or Evan Mobley? Maybe not, but there’s no doubt he’d go no lower than third overall after being the eighth selection.
Along with Paolo Banchero, he has the potential to form a nasty two-headed attack for the Orlando Magic for years to come.
Franz Wagner Basketball Cards to Target:
- 2021 Panini Prizm Silver Franz Wagner #310
- Raw Value: $15
- PSA 10 Value: #144.67
- Average Value Over Last Year (if applicable): n/a
- 2021-22 National Treasures Franz Wagner Triple Patch RPA /99
- Raw Value: $153
- BGS 8.5 Value: $169
- Average Value Over Last Year (if applicable): n/a
Jalen Williams – Oklahoma City Thunder
I’m calling it right now: the Oklahoma City Thunder are the team to watch this season. This is a team that, as a basketball fan and card collector, I’m totally in on. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is knocking on the door for league MVP. Josh Giddey is an exciting young guard. Chet Holmgren is an unproven yet intriguing big.
But a key reason for OKC’s run last season was the arrival of Jalen Williams. The rookie managed to steal a few votes away from Paolo Banchero in the Rookie of the Year race, and his two-way potential is thrilling.
A fun note: make sure you find JALEN Williams’ cards. The Thunder took another rookie last year named Jaylin Williams – who also had a decent season but nowhere near the former’s.
Jalen Williams Basketball Card to Target:
- 2022 Panini Prizm Silver Jalen Williams #246
- Raw Value: $16.50
- PSA 10 Value: $128.88
- Average Value Over Last Year (if applicable): n/a
“The First-Time All-Stars”
There have been a staggering 12 first-time All-Star selections between the last two years. And as you might guess, an All-Star nod is a huge first step toward superstardom; it raises a player’s profile and, at least temporarily, their card values.
Here are three likely candidates to be first-time All-Stars in 2024:
Mikal Bridges – Brooklyn Nets
It’s mildly shocking that Bridges hasn’t made an All-Star team yet. But then again, when you’re playing second fiddle to the likes of Devin Booker and Chris Paul, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle.
But not anymore. Before last season’s trade deadline, Bridges was traded to the Brooklyn Nets as the centerpiece in a deal for Kevin Durant. He’s loaded with two-way potential, and Brooklyn’s season will rise and fall on his shoulders. He’s one of the best NBA players to invest in ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Mikal Bridges Basketball Cards to Target:
- 2018 Panini Prizm Silver Mikal Bridges #289
- Raw Value: $31
- PSA 10 Value: $120
- Average PSA 10 Price Over Last Year (if applicable): $109.93
- 2018 Immaculate Collection Mikal Bridges #128 /99 RPA
- Raw Value: $198.11
- PSA 8 Value: $227.83
- Average Raw Price Over Last Year (if applicable): $233.86
Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks
Brunson was in a similar situation to Bridges prior to the 2022 season. For his entire career, Brunson was second-chair in a loaded backcourt featuring Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic.
But after trading the Big D for the Big Apple, Brunson showed everyone that he’s capable of leading a team to the postseason. Look for Brunson to continue improving his stat line as he’s done every season, which concluded at 24.0 points and 6.2 assists last season.
Jalen Brunson Basketball Card to Target
- 2018 Panini Prizm Silver Jalen Brunson #250
- Raw Value: $9.50
- PSA 10 Value: $136.05
- Average PSA 10 Price Over Last Year (if applicable): $140
Paolo Banchero – Orlando Magic
It may be a little premature to coronate Paolo Banchero as an All-Star this season, but the potential is certainly there. The Magic quietly obliterated their preseason over-under estimate (26.5) with 34 wins. That figure was the franchise’s second-best mark since the 2016-17 season. Additionally, the Magic has trended up in both offensive and defensive ratings over the last three seasons, finishing with an above-average defense last year for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
Why all the talk about the Magic? Because the Banchero All-Star case is a simple one: if Banchero makes an All-Star team, it’s because the Magic do better than expected. He’s just one year removed from being the top pick in the draft, was the runaway Rookie of the Year, and was 0.1 rebounds per game away from becoming the 11th rookie ever to average 20.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
He’s on an All-Star trajectory, for sure. And if the Orlando Magic are able to top Mickey Mouse as the top local attraction this season, Banchero’s All-Star future may come sooner rather than later.
Paolo Banchero Basketball Cards to Target:
- 2022 Panini Prizm Silver Paolo Banchero #249
- Raw Value: $55
- PSA 10 Value: $373.62
- Average Value Over Last Year (if applicable): n/a
- 2022-23 Panini Donruss Paolo Banchero Mojo Rated Rookie RC Auto #201
- Raw Value: $239.50
- PSA 10 Value: n/a
- Average Value Over Last Year (if applicable): n/a
Come-Back Candidates
From a fan and player’s perspective, there’s nothing worse than a season-ending injury. While medical advancements have greatly improved the likelihood a player returns to full form after a serious injury, nothing is guaranteed.
For collectors, these cards are something like a depressed asset. The values might be superficially low because of the injury concern but could spike if the players reach their pre-injury peaks.
Here are two names to watch:
Cade Cunningham – Detroit Pistons
Cunningham started the 2022-23 season off hot with the Pistons, averaging 19.9 points and 6.0 assists through the first 12 games of his second year. Unfortunately, a shin injury (combined with the Pistons’ total lack of competitiveness) shut him down for the rest of the way. He joins an intriguing supporting cast in backcourt mate Jaden Ivey and a slew of bigs, including Jalen Duren and James Wiseman. Add a new coach in Monty Williams, and the Pistons should have a pretty bright future.
Cade Cunningham Basketball Cards to Target:
- 2021 Panini Prizm Silver Cade Cunningham #282
- Raw Value: $31
- PSA 10 Value: $366.39
- Average Price Over Last Year (if applicable): n/a
- 2021-22 Donruss Optic Cade Cunningham Holo Prizm Rated Rookie #161
- Raw Value: $25
- PSA 10 Value: $136.92
- Average Price Over Last Year (if applicable): n/a
Chet Holmgren – Oklahoma City Thunder
Holmgren is one of the few 2023 rookies whose Panini Prizm you can go out and purchase right now. Drafted second overall in 2022, Holmgren missed his entire rookie season after a preseason foot injury forced him out. But this lanky big is exactly what the Oklahoma City Thunder were missing last season: a defensive anchor at center who can also space the floor. I’m extremely bullish on the Thunder this season, and if Holmgren plays up to his potential in his first year on the court, his card values will soar.
In addition, because many of his cards only came out this year, there’s still a relative scarcity – PSA has graded fewer than 575 total. Keep in mind – his National Treasures card won’t be released until November 2023, along with the rest of the 2022-23 set.
Chet Holmgren Basketball Cards to Target:
- 2022 Panini Prizm Silver Chet Holmgren #266
- Raw Value: $19.95
- PSA 10 Value: $425.89
- Average Price Over Last Year (if applicable): n/a
- 2022-23 Crown Royale Silhouettes Chet Holmgren RPA /199
- Raw Value: $191.50
- PSA 10 Value: n/a
- Average Price Over Last Year (if applicable): n/a
Diamonds in the Rough
Every good sports story has the down-and-out underdog who pulls through. Rocky in Rocky, Rudy in Rudy, and the Titans in Remember the Titans. Noticing a theme?
The players in this category embody that underdog tradition. There are no promises that they’ll pull through, but there’s reason not entirely to give up on them just yet.
Devin Vassell – San Antonio Spurs
Chalk this one up to Victor Wembanyama coming to San Antonio. Had the French stud not packed his bags (and saddle) for the Spurs, there’s little reason to believe the Spurs’ future would be anything other than bleak.
But before Wemby’s arrival, the lone bright spot was Devin Vassell. A shooting guard with excellent range (38.7% on 7.0 attempts from three per game last season), he should make for an excellent deputy to Wembanyama’s sheriff in San Antonio. He’s probably not going to be an All-Star, but he’s a potential franchise piece for the Spurs moving forward.
Devin Vassell Basketball Card to Target:
- 2020-21 Panini Prizm Silver Devin Vassell #252
- Raw Value: $3.25
- PSA 10 Value: $162.20
- Average Price Over Last Year (if applicable): n/a
Dyson Daniels – New Orleans Pelicans
I won’t lie to you: we’re digging deep into our bag for this one. There’s little about Dyson Daniels’ rookie season stats that will excite casual viewers. His team situation is one of the funkiest in recent memory; the Pelicans were one of the best teams in the Western Conference until Zion Williamson went down, and with him, the Pels’ playoff aspirations.
That said, here’s some analysis from someone much smarter than me about Daniels’ future outlook.
At 6-foot-7, Daniels is already a very strong defender as on-ball defender with an ability to stay in front of his man and navigate screens. He’s active on this end of the floor, as he gets deflections, steals, and simply makes plays. It only makes sense for him to improve in his sophomore season, and he has what it takes to become one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.
Offensively, there are lots of concerns. He isn’t particularly good at getting downhill or shooting (34.3 C&S 3PT%), which truly limits him. Where he is quite strong, though, is as a passer. He’s a very good connector for the Pelicans’ offense, always making that extra passer (though this is partially due to his own offensive limitations).
A Dyson Daniels rookie card probably won’t pay for your kid’s college tuition. But it’s as good a buy-low opportunity as any out there. The worst case? He ends up as New Orleans’ Matisse Thybulle. Best case? His offensive game rounds out and he becomes a solid two-way threat.
Dyson Daniels Basketball Card to Target:
- 2022-23 Panini Prizm Silver Dyson Daniels #233
- Raw Value: $3.76
- PSA 9 Value: $13.78
- Average Value Over Last Year (if applicable): n/a
Honorable Mentions/Personal Favorites
We’ll finish this list of 2023-24 basketball cards with a few personal favorites. These are players and cards that don’t exactly fit in any other category but are nonetheless ones that I’m personally interested in collecting. These cards are pretty readily available on most platforms, including eBay or MySlabs.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted onto the scene last year, developing from promising franchise cornerstone into bona fide MVP candidate for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The next step on SGA’s career trek is a playoff coming-out party, which we should be due for this season so long as the Thunder play well as a unit. He’ll be one of the league’s best players for years to come, but since he lacks that playoff resume, he’s still a bit undervalued.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Basketball Cards to Target:
- 2018 Panini Prizm Silver Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #184
- Raw Value: $60.04
- PSA 10 Value: $481.07
- Average PSA 10 Price Over Last Year (if applicable): $406.14
- 2018 Donruss Optic Holo Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #162
- Raw Value: $44.96
- PSA 10 Value: $226.51
- Average PSA 10 Price Over Last Year (if applicable): $210.71
- 2018 Immaculate Collection Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #134 /99
- Raw Value: $1,000.76
- PSA 10 Value: n/a
- Average Raw Price Over Last Year (if applicable): $820
Anthony Edwards – Minnesota Timberwolves
Okay, we’re BIG Anthony Edwards fans here at Only Greats. But for good reason – I’m expecting big things from Anthony Edwards this season. After snatching ankles and headlines representing the United States at FIBA this summer, the youngster has a chance to make a massive leap. A first-time All-Star last year, the next logical step for Edwards is an All-NBA spot, which he should certainly compete for.
We’ve profiled a bunch of Edwards’ cards in another post, but we’ll highlight a few here as well as this 2023-24 basketball cards guide wouldn’t be complete otherwise:
Anthony Edwards Basketball Cards to Target:
- 2020 Panini Prizm Silver Anthony Edwards #258
- Raw Value: $238.05
- PSA 10 Value: $700
- Average PSA 10 Price Over Last Year (if applicable): $629.83
- 2020 Crown Royale Anthony Edwards #21 Kaboom! Insert
- Raw Value: $2,163.76
- PSA 10 Value: $4,813.00
- Average PSA 10 Price Over Last Year (if applicable): $4,430
- 2020 Prizm Draft Picks Anthony Edwards Downtown Insert #D4
- Raw Value: $199.89
- PSA 10 Value: $596.39
- Average PSA 10 Price Over Last Year (if applicable): $427.52
Tyrese Maxey – Philadelphia 76ers
As a long-suffering Sixers fan, it’s only fair to end the 2023-24 basketball cards preseason investment list with the team’s rising stud. He’s steadily maintained a strong three-point shot, even after adding volume in each of his three seasons thus far. And with James Harden’s days in Philadelphia numbered, Maxey will likely step into a serious playmaking role this season. If successful, he could find himself in the conversation for his first All-Star appearance, adding yet another exciting chapter for a guy Philadelphia took with a late-first round pick in 2020
Tyrese Maxey Basketball Cards to Target:
- 2020 Panini Prizm Silver Tyrese Maxey #256
- Raw Value: $35.00
- PSA 10 Value: $200.00
- Average PSA 10 Price Over Last Year (if applicable): $254.11
- 2020 National Treasures Tyrese Maxey #114 RPA /99
- Raw Value: $2,631.17
- PSA 10 Value: $7,313.28
- Average PSA 10 Price Over Last Year (if applicable): $14,650.00
Dishonorable Mentions
Okay, “dishonorable mention” sounds harsh. Almost like we’re sending these players to the principal’s office. While most players in this post represent high-upside picks, this part of our 2023-24 basketball cards guide is reserved for sell-now candidates.
There are two that come to mind right away (for very different reasons): Jimmy Butler and Bradley Beal.
Jimmy Butler – Miami Heat
Had the Miami Heat landed Damian Lillard (as the pre-trade scuttlebutt seemed to suggest), then Butler and the Heat would be in an excellent spot to repeat as Eastern Conference Champs.
As it stands, the Heat will go as far as Jimmy Butler wills them. That much was on full display last season when he had one of the best postseason runs of all time, leading the Heat to the Finals against the Nuggets.
I would not anticipate that happening again. Butler’s value is as high as it’s been, and it would be surprising if it peaked this way again.
Bradley Beal – Phoenix Suns
Bradley Beal, on the other hand, is one of the stars on a team with the third-best odds (+550) to win the championship this season. And should he lift that trophy with the Phoenix Suns, his value will almost surely increase.
But if he were to get injured and miss a chunk of the season (a not-so-big if), or if his defense proves unplayable against playoff competition (also a not-so-big if), or if folks realize his shooting numbers aren’t actually that impressive (also a not-so-big if), then his value will decline. Right now, Beal is treated as though he could be one of the two best players on a championship team.
The reality is that Beal hasn’t made it further than the first round in any playoff series since 2017; he’s gone 3-8 since then. Sell now while the hype is still there.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a seasoned NBA expert or someone who’s interested in collecting or flipping basketball cards for the potential return on investment, there’s something for everyone in this 2023-24 basketball cards guide.
As a reminder, there are no guarantees in any specific player, or card. The build-up around a fresh NBA season is an exciting time, but as Chet Holmgren can attest (and perhaps Aaron Rodgers), all the excitement and buzz can vanish in an instant. Rookies like Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson will undoubtedly get attention and hype, but only time will tell how they develop as players in the NBA.
If there’s any you think we missed or any player that didn’t make our cut but that you’re high on, drop us a message in the comments!