Stock Watch: NBA Players to Keep an Eye On This Season

As the curtain rises on the 2025-26 NBA season, fans and collectors alike find themselves clinging to the edge of their seats, not just in anticipation of thrilling basketball games, but also in the constant dance of player card values. The opening act promises fireworks, featuring dazzling matchups where the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by the dynamic Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will give a warm hero’s welcome to their new lineup jewel, Kevin Durant, now strutting in the Rocket's colors. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers’ icons LeBron James and Luka Dončić will brace themselves for a Bay Area showdown against an ever-poised Stephen Curry and his Golden State Warriors. As these titans collide on the court, a quieter, yet equally stimulating battle is occurring in the collectors' market, where NBA cards see an ever-shifting landscape defined by rising and falling prices.

A recent inspection of trends in the Beckett Online Price Guide since September 21 has revealed compelling narratives worthy of attention. Four players' cards have caught a gust of wind, sailing upward in value, while another quartet finds themselves riding out a lull as avid collectors wait with bated breath for the season to unfold.

First up on the risers list is Victor Wembanyama, the man who can dunk on most players without leaving his feet. Standing a towering 7 feet 3 inches and boasting skills that could redefine positions, Wembanyama is entering his third year in the league. His previous season was peppered with disappointment due to a pesky health issue, sidelining him for significant moments. However, hopes are buoyant this time as he takes on what many predict could be a campaign eligible for Defensive Player of the Year honors, assuming his health holds steady. This optimism isn't lost on the hobbyists, who've decisively nudged his cards upward, perhaps envisioning a blockbuster year for the young Spurs prodigy.

Another player seeing a promising uptick is Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls. His late-season promotion to the starting lineup, where he leapt to an impressive 13.0 points per game, has left basketball savants buzzing. Buzelis seems primed for a breakout sophomore season, prompting anticipatory buyers to ensure they’re not left in the dust of his rapidly ascending star. His card values have fittingly ascended, reflecting a newfound belief in his potential to take the Windy City by storm.

Not to be outdone, Bogdan Bogdanovic has emerged as a fan favorite post his surprising yet impactful midseason move to the Los Angeles Clippers. His always-hot hand added a much-needed scoring boost, a trait that the Clippers hope to leverage this season in their revamped rotation. Collectors betting on Bogdanovic expect this to be the year his steadfast contribution not only rallies the Clippers but further inflates the value of his cardboard appearances.

Lastly among the surging stars is Terrence Shannon Jr., who like a fine wine, seems to improve with age. His time in Minnesota saw a slow start, but with patience on his side, Shannon Jr. found his groove, leaving fans yearning for what’s next. As his role potentially expands this season, the interest from collectors has already been piqued, as seen in the bullish movement of his card prices.

Despite there being no guarantees in sports—or in stocks—the seasoned collector knows that not every arrow will point skyward. Among those presently trending downward is Joel Embiid, a former MVP whose recent seasons sound like a highlight reel of ailments and recovery. Recent knee surgery has Philadelphia exercising caution, and in anticipation, collectors have reigned in their enthusiasm, adopting a wait-and-see approach to his card market value.

Zach Edey, on the other hand, captivated Memphis with a sprightly rookie campaign that was unfortunately capped by a pesky ankle injury, sidelining him at the dawn of the new season. As he embarks on a recovery period expected to extend a couple of months, buyers are in a holding pattern, understandably hesitant to invest until he returns to full form.

Also under the microscope is Jaylen Wells, a surprising second-rounder turned Grizzlies contributor. Yet it seems the sophomore slump whispers in the shadows, with collectors tapping the brakes a tad after his solid rookie showing, resulting in a gentle decline in his card prices.

Then there’s Baylor Scheierman, whose chapter with the Boston Celtics reads more like a quiet novella than a grand epic. His minutes last season were sparse, with only occasional brilliance displayed late in the season. Collectors remain cautiously curious, eager for Scheierman to showcase an artful versatility that might just cause the narrative—and his card value—to turn a page.

In this ever-evolving world of NBA card collecting, players' legacies and legends are written one game at a time, just as collectors’ portfolios adjust in anticipation of glory, or in smart patience for resurgence. As the NBA season tip-off breathes life into the league, fans and collectors alike will need to keep their eyes wide open—each dribble, each pass, a testament to the crescendo of potential and poetry in motion.