The best NBA cards to invest in

Basketball investment picks ranked

1. Michael Jordan 1986-87 Fleer

1986-87 Fleer Basketball (1986) · NBA · PSA 10: $200,000-$800,000

The most valuable basketball card ever produced. PSA 10 has crossed $700K at auction. PSA 9 trades steadily in the $30K-$60K range. The card every basketball collector wants.

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2. LeBron James 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite RPA

2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Basketball (2003) · NBA · PSA 10: $2,000,000-$6,000,000+

Modern basketball's millionaire-tier rookie. Numbered to 99 globally. PSA 10 examples have crossed $5M+ at auction. Combines LeBron's career significance with extreme print scarcity.

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3. LeBron James 2003-04 Topps Chrome

2003-04 Topps Chrome Basketball (2003) · NBA · PSA 10: $5,000-$25,000

Accessible LeBron rookie. PSA 10 has 5x'd since 2019. Chrome refractor variants scale dramatically higher. Strong long-term hold.

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4. Kobe Bryant 1996-97 Topps Chrome

1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball (1996) · NBA · PSA 10: $15,000-$50,000

Kobe rookie investment thesis crystallized after his death in 2020. PSA 10 has appreciated 5x+. Refractor variants scale dramatically higher.

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5. Larry Bird / Magic Johnson / Julius Erving 1980-81 Topps

1980-81 Topps Basketball (1980) · NBA · PSA 10: $200,000-$600,000

The iconic pre-Jordan vintage basketball rookie. Three HOF players on one perforated card. PSA 10 grading is brutal due to centering; pop is extremely low.

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6. Luka Dončić 2018-19 Panini Prizm Rookie

2018-19 Panini Prizm Basketball (2018) · NBA · PSA 10: $400-$1,500

Modern NBA scoring prodigy with Western Conference Finals appearances and multiple All-NBA First Team selections. Silver and color parallels scale 10-50x.

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7. Lew Alcindor (Kareem) 1969 Topps Rookie

1968-69 Topps Basketball (1969) · NBA · PSA 10: $300,000-$800,000

All-time NBA scoring leader (until LeBron). 6 NBA championships. PSA 10 supply is extremely low; centering issues are notorious.

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8. Victor Wembanyama 2023-24 Topps Chrome

2023-24 Topps Chrome Basketball (2023) · NBA · PSA 10: $300-$1,200

Modern speculative rookie. Wemby's generational talent supports multi-year appreciation thesis. Refractor variants and autos scale meaningfully higher.

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9. Stephen Curry 2009-10 Topps Chrome

2009-10 Topps Chrome Basketball (2009) · NBA · PSA 10: $2,000-$6,000

Curry has 4 NBA championships and revolutionized the game. Topps Chrome rookie is the accessible Curry investment tier. Refractor variants are scarce and scale higher.

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