The NBA 50: Victor Wembanyama tops list of most collectible players

From a collecting perspective, the 2025-26 NBA season is one of the most important the hobby has seen in years.

It’s packed with top-tier rookies, including No. 1 overall pick and hobby darling Cooper Flagg. Just as notably, it will feature licensed Topps cards for the first time in 15 years.

Upcoming releases will be highlighted by the all-new NBA Rookie Debut Patches, Gold Logoman patches celebrating last year’s award winners, and even the first licensed Topps autographs from LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama.

Using a combination of sales volume and grading submissions from the last calendar year, we’ve ranked the most collectible NBA players for the upcoming season.

Here’s how the list played out:

(Methodology: This ranking was created using total sales volume, according to Market Movers, and total grading submissions, as tracked by GemRate, over the last 365 days. Sales volume and grading volume for each player were combined into a composite score to determine their overall collectability. With this formula, the lowest score is best. Total points are shown in parenthesis.)

1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs center (2)

From a scoring perspective, Wembanyama was easily the top-ranked player with the most sales tracked by Market Movers as well as the most cards graded by PSA over the last 365 days.

The delta between Wembanyama and second place becomes especially stunning when digging into each statistic, however. It’s also clear — despite a season-ending injury last season — Wembanyama is by far the sport’s biggest hobby star.

Market Movers has logged more than 200,000 sales for Wembanyama over the last year, which more than doubles LeBron James’ second-place total of more than 70,000.

Wembanyama’s graded card totals are shocking, too, with more than 180,000 cards graded by PSA over the last year. James finishes second here again with a little less than 66,000.

Wembanyama’s most popular graded card has been his 2023 Prizm Base PSA 10 with more than 3,200 sales. Recent sales for that card have trended between $80 and $90.

2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers forward (4)

James remains as collectible as ever as he enters what could possibly be his final NBA season.

The Lakers superstar ranks second among active NBA players with more than 70,000 sales tracked by Market Movers over the last 365 days. His nearly 66,000 cards graded by PSA trail only Wembanyama.

The interesting dynamic with James’ market is that not only are his rookie cards popular, he has a number of important images that have won over collectors, especially from the ultra-modern era.

Yes, his 2003 Topps Base, featuring the all-white NBA Draft suit, and his 2003 Topps Chrome Base, which shows James rising for a mid-range jumper, are extremely popular sellers.

His best-selling card over the last year has been his 2020 Prizm Base Raw, however, which has sold more than 1,400 times because it features a Kobe Bryant tribute dunk.

James’ 2024 Prizm Silver Raw has been a popular card, too, with the future Hall of Famer shown performing his iconic pre-game chalk toss.

James’ most popular seller among PSA 10s over the last year isn’t even a rookie card — instead his 2018 Revolution is best known as the first card to feature an image of James in his Lakers jersey. That card has sold more than 400 times over the last year and can be had for less than $30.

3. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves guard (6)

Collectors and fans alike often wonder which players will emerge as the faces of the league when James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant eventually retire. One of the leading candidates has to be Edwards.

Though casual fans might often pass on watching Timberwolves games, collectors care far less about Edwards playing in Minnesota. Of the cards and players tracked by Market Movers, Edwards has the third-most sales over the last 365 days (41,127) and the third-most cards graded by PSA (39,102).

Edwards has shown the ability to lead his team on a deep playoff run, but collectors will soon want to see him take the next step by winning a title or an MVP.

His personality has made him a fan favorite as well, which always ends up playing a much larger role than some casual collectors want to admit.

Edwards’ most popular graded card over the last year has been his 2020 Prizm Base PSA 10 with more than 400 sales logged by Market Movers. That example remains extremely affordable and has recently trended around $80.

4. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers guard (10)

Dončić has been one of the most popular athletes across the hobby, regardless of sport, since joining the league back in 2018.

He even has been credited with helping revive the basketball market during the COVID-19 pandemic. As collectors were stuck inside looking for something to do, Dončić and a number of other stars from the 2017, 2018 and 2019 NBA Draft classes in particular were emerging as the next stars to take over the league.

Dončić’s best-selling graded card over the last year has been his 2018 Prizm Base PSA 10, which has sold more than 1,300 times and is currently trending around $190.

Something worth watching will be how his first Lakers cards perform on the secondary market. Top stars can sometimes see collectors flock to cards featuring their new uniform, and Dončić should qualify here.

5. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors guard (11)

Curry’s market has been especially unique in recent years because he doesn’t have as many key rookie cards as players from the ultra-modern era, and the rookies he does have are impacted by shorter print runs.

His flagship 2009 Topps Base PSA 10 rookie card, for example, most recently sold for $12,000, while the Topps Chrome variation, which is numbered to just 999, has recently sold for $39,726.

Because of this, many of his most transacted cards are oddball rookies or ultra-modern parallels and short-printed inserts. His best-selling graded rookie over the last year is his 2009 Upper Deck Draft Edition PSA 10, which features Curry in his Davidson uniform, with more than 140 sales.

Curry’s more than 27,000 sales rank seventh among active basketball players, and his more than 35,000 cards graded by PSA over the last year are fourth.

6. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets forward (13)

After five players who aren't surprises, the list takes a turn with Miller at No. 6. You won’t see the cllct team arguing much for Miller to be this high — especially when All-Stars including Nikola Jokic, Jalen Brunson and Trae Young are well outside the top 10.

It’s important to remember this list is based on data over the last year, and Miller’s place among the most transacted players (sixth) and the most graded by PSA (seventh) is undeniable.

Has Miller anecdotally shown the on-court potential to be ranked this high? That’s debatable. Does the data support this ranking? Without question.

A player’s overall collectibility is much more than his most recent performance on the court, and Miller’s overall potential, pricing and variety of cards can all add up to a player who is highly collectible. At least for now.

Collectors like to take big swings on buy-low candidates, and Miller could be exactly that for a lot of hobbyists. A lackluster 2024 NBA Draft could have collectors reaching back to past classes more than they might otherwise as well, but don’t be surprised if 2025 becomes a make-or-break year for his market.

The 2025 NBA Draft is loaded with talent, and the financial stake collectors are making can often result in faster and more drastic corrections in sentiment than the average fan.

7. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets forward (14)

Much like Miller, Thompson’s ranking is based completely on potential.

The Rockets wing was one of the breakout stars from last season, and he has leaped up every site’s player rankings for next season due to his impact as a two-way star. The risk here is Thompson might have significantly more value to a real team than a collector.

An unfortunate reality is many collectors will prefer a high-scoring, offensive-first guard over a well-rounded player. Thompson is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, but he’ll likely need to develop more on the offensive side of the ball to resonate with hobbyists.

There are simply dozens of players from over the years who had immense value on the floor, but for whatever reason — off-court popularity, personality, playing style — didn’t stick with collectors.

For now, however, Thompson has resonated, and collectors have banked on his improvement as a scorer and the Rockets contending in the West.

Thompson’s nearly 31,000 sales tracked by Market Movers over the last year rank fifth among active players, and his more than 18,000 cards graded by PSA ranks ninth.

8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder guard (16)

Gilgeous-Alexander is a bit of a no-brainer for the top 10. He’s the reigning MVP, an NBA champion and playing for the team experts widely consider to have the best chance to be the next dynasty.

A lethal scorer from all levels, Gilgeous-Alexander delivers the exciting play collectors want, and there’s still plenty of upside because he’s still just 27.

One caveat for Gilgeous-Alexander is his rookie cards feature him in a Clippers jersey. This isn’t a deal-breaker for all collectors, but can have an impact for some. So far, it doesn’t seem to have moved the needle much.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s more than 25,000 sales tracked by Market Movers and the nearly 20,000 cards graded by PSA over the last year both rank eighth among active NBA players.

As expected, his 2018 Prizm Base PSA 10 has been his best-selling graded card over the last year with more than 600 sales — even though it features a print error and doesn’t include the rookie card designation.

Several cards worth watching in the near future will be the Gold Logoman patches Gilgeous-Alexander will wear this season to celebrate winning the MVP. Those patches will eventually be removed and placed into Topps trading cards.

Expect these to be among his most coveted collectibles when they hit the secondary market.

9. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks forward (19)

Flagg hasn’t played an official NBA minute, but collectors simply don’t care.

He’s among the best pro prospects the NBA has seen in years, appears to have star potential on both sides of the ball, and he’s landing on a franchise that is better positioned to compete than you’d typically see with the No. 1 overall pick.

Flagg’s market is much more developed than you’d expect. Collectors have been picking up his collegiate cards, which typically are far less desirable and valuable, and paying top dollar for them.

The public record for a Flagg card to date is the $97,600 paid for his 2024-25 Bowman Chrome University Autographs Superfractor 1/1 at Goldin in June.

Flagg is on the cover of 2025-26 Topps Basketball, too, which represents the first licensed flagship NBA product from the company since 2009-10.

Flagg and other rookies will wear Rookie Debut Patches when they play in their first game this season, and Flagg’s card is expected to be among the most important from the program to date.

10. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies guard (20)

Morant was at one point somewhat of an afterthought for collectors when entering the league. He was the No. 2 overall pick, but Zion Williamson was prematurely anointed the next LeBron James by some, and that captured much of the hobby’s attention at the time.

Now entering Year 7, Morant has eclipsed Williamson on the court and is among the most popular and talented players in the league. His nearly 25,000 sales tracked by Market Movers over the last year are ninth among active players, and his more than 13,000 cards graded by PSA rank 11th.

Morant has never played more than 67 games in a season, so health is a concern. Off-the-court issues became more prevalent last year as well, so that’s worth monitoring as collectors might move on if a player’s public perception deteriorates.

For now, Morant remains one of the most exciting players in the league. Collectors and fans alike will surely hope for more postseason success, but basketball is a team game, and Morant has largely done his part.

11. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics forward (22)

12. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs guard (24)

13. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks forward (26)

14. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers guard (32)

T15. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets guard (33)

T15. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic forward (33)

17. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers guard (34)

18. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons forward (36)

19. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons guard (38)

20. Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets forward (39)

21. Bronny James Jr., Los Angeles Lakers guard (46)

22. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder center (48)

23. Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls forward (50)

24. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz guard (51)

25. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers guard (58)

T26. Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers guard (59)

T26. Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks center (59)

28. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets center (60)

29. Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers guard (61)

30. Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets guard (62)

31. Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks forward (63)

32. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder forward (64)

33. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans forward (65)

34. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks guard (66)

35. Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors guard (67)

T36. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks guard (69)

T36. Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards guard (69)

38. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat guard (70)

39. Gradey Dick, Toronto Raptors guard (75)

40. Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder guard (78)

41. Alexandre Sarr, Washington Wizards forward (79)

42. GG Jackson II, Memphis Grizzlies forward (81)

T43. Cam Whitmore, Washington Wizards forward (83)

T43. Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns guard (83)

45. Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies center (86)

46. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers guard (89)

47. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets center (93)

48. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers forward (102)

49. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic forward (106)

50. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers guard (107)

Ben Burrows is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture. He was previously the collectibles editor at Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on X and Instagram @benmburrows.