What to Look for in Modern Basketball Cards

All sports fans will know the excitement of uncovering vintage merchandise.

From pulling that old jersey out of the cupboard to getting signed match balls down from the attic, the nostalgia can be intoxicating.

Trading cards have long been associated with sports, particularly basketball, and some can fetch high prices.

As a collector of modern cards, what should you be looking for to grab that high-ticket item in the coming years?

What Creates Basketball Card Value?

Value in basketball cards comes from a range of factors.

When collecting modern cards, the trick is to predict which will have the most impact in the future.

Vintage cards have had several manufacturers, from Topps to Fleer and Upper Deck.

Yet in the modern era, Panini owns the rights and is the only real licensed manufacturer of NBA cards.

They are also astute at creating value, and they will make certain cards in lesser numbers than others, increasing their rarity.

Thus, hunting down the rare ones and holding onto them is a good tactic.

The Rookie Cards

Cards featuring the first appearance of a player are known as rookie cards, and are often the most sought after.

The 1980-81 Larry Bird/Magic Johnson/Julius Erving card by Topps is the holy grail of these.

The card shows all three players on one card, and two of them would go on to have a huge rivalry in the NBA.

This was also at a time when basketball cards were struggling and were throwaway items.

If someone had picked them out and held on, the card would now be worth a small fortune.

A good place to look for future greats is in the markets that let you place a sport bet.

These will have extensive basketball coverage, along with other sports, if you want to collect cards for them.

By checking odds for teams and younger athletes in the pre-season, you can pick out players who may rise in value.

The added bonus is that you may even be able to place a wager as you do so, selecting who may score the most baskets.

Those with higher odds are the ones who have been picked by the operator's team of researchers for great things.

Assessing Condition

Another factor is the condition of a card. If it has been kept in the pockets of fans and passed around, it will become scratched, faded, and bent.

These cards are worth less than pristine, brand-new ones. Thus, try to get cards in the best condition possible, if not fresh from the pack, and preserve them.

You can get special cases for this or even get them professionally graded.

There is no guarantee that your cards will go up in value, though it is quite likely they will.

Basketball will always be a popular sport, with merchandise being a key factor in its appeal.

However, don’t just collect for profit; make sure you enjoy the hobby and take time and pleasure in hunting out those rare items.