Many of the names in the Conference Finals are familiar to NBA fans and collectors alike.
Some of the biggest and best from the last four teams, like Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are already popular with collectors and sellers scooping up their cards.
Although they’re the clear-cut chases in the world of collecting, Wembanyama and SGA are not the only hardcourt stars who have potential to break out this postseason when it comes to the value of their cards.
Here are five other players who deserve a look and maybe a spot in your collection.
Honestly, it’s a bit late to get on the Brunson train. The climb of his card values is staggering over the last few years.
Take his 2018 Panini Prizm Silver as an example. When it first came out, Brunson was with the Dallas Mavericks and the card could be had for under $50. The card has surged in value with his success with the Knicks.
Now, the card in a high grade is worth hundreds.
Brunson’s low-numbered and signed cards have had a similar trajectory. But if the Knicks can break through for their first Finals appearance since 1999 or first championship since 1973, those cards will rise higher still in price.
The Cavs guard hasn’t gotten enough cardboard love throughout this career. His card values spiked in 2021, according to Card Ladder, but have declined since.
The seven-time All-Star consistently puts up big numbers and just had one of the top regular seasons of his career.
Mitchell’s cards have shown a recent bump and his rookie cards from 2017-18 can be had for a good value. This may be one of the sleeper players in the playoffs, especially if the Cavs can overcome their Game 1 collapse and get past the Knicks.
Harper has been one of the more popular players on cards this year because of his rookie status. It’s the first time in years that Topps has created NBA cards and Harper is one of the beneficiaries of that.
Even still, his cards are easier to obtain as many are chasing Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, the top two rookies in the 2025-26 class.
Harper is the type of player who has the potential to break out in the coming years, especially playing on a team with superstar talent like Wembanyama.
Castle was the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year. He gets to play alongside Wembanyama and continues to grow as a player on a team that looks to be a dominant force in the Western Conference for years to come. It’s a great situation for Castle collectors.
There’s a lot to like with Castle – and card collectors are taking notice. In December, a 2024-25 Panini Prizm Silver sold for $355, but has been consistently selling for more than $700 since April.
The playoffs have a way of putting the spotlight on players who don’t get enough attention.
That’s happening to Williams now. After finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2022-23, Williams has been a consistent force for the Thunder.
And his postseason numbers are better.
Williams averaged 23.6 points a game in the NBA Finals last year, which saw OKC take home the title.
This year, he is putting up similar numbers. Williams seems to shine brightest on the biggest stage, which has made collectors take notice. In January, a 2022-23 Panini Prizm Gold /10 PSA 10 sold for $32,878, making it one of his most expensive cards to date.
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