Shai Gilgeous-Alexander edged out Nikola Jokic to win his first MVP award, the NBA announced Wednesday.
SGA’s dominance this season, leading the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game, along with 6.4 assists and 5 rebounds, spearheaded the Oklahoma City Thunder to a league-best 68 wins.
The Thunder took the series opener from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals Tuesday, with Game 2 slated for Thursday.
First MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the No. 1-seed Thunder to a league-high 68 wins and became the second player in NBA history to average at least 30 points on 50% shooting, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1 block per game along with Michael Jordan (1987-88, 1990-91). https://t.co/4updI0h7xP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 21, 2025
The question many collectors have on their mind as the 26-year-old emerges as one of the top young stars in the game is: How will an MVP affect his card market?
While it’s impossible to predict the future, history suggests collectors have already priced it in.
Much like how prices for prospects often exceed those of Hall of Famers, with potential valued just as much (if not more) than on-court performance, the same applies to the market's response to MVP accolades.
Looking at SGA’s CardLadder index, it appears his market surge has already occurred in earnest, with gains of nearly 200% in the past six months.
While this doesn’t preclude a further bump following his official recognition as the league MVP, it certainly suggests the market has already responded to his historic season, whether in anticipation of him being named MVP or merely as a result of his breakout campaign.
Over the past 90 days, the total sales of SGA cards are $1.8 million, according to Market Movers. That is a 40.6% increase in volume and places sixth among active NBA players.
Eight of his top 10 most expensive sales have occurred in 2025.
Logically, it makes sense collectors and flippers, looking to profit off of SGA’s rise, would jump the gun on the official MVP coronation. Especially since SGA has been among the top players in the league for a few years now and was the odds-on favorite to win MVP for most of this season.
The earlier, the better, so goes the thinking of those putting money on the future of SGA.
SGA has a long career ahead of him and more accolades to come. However, the notion that one would be wise to hop on the train now would be silly. You're already late to the party.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.