The Best Basketball Cards of All Time
Your collection of basketball cards is not just something that is going to sit there until you either sell it off or otherwise gift it to someone else. Your collection is a representation of your passion for the sport, your desire to collect all of your favorite players, and a testament to all of your hard work over the years.
As you continue to work on your collection, you might be on the hunt for the most valuable basketball cards to add to your collection. But what are the best basketball cards to buy? What would be an excellent addition to your current collection of cards? Let’s take a look at some of the best basketball cards of all time.
Before You Search: Defining Value
It’s important to remember that, for some collectors, the term “value” has a different meaning than what most think. For many, the most valuable basketball cards are those that are extremely rare or have a special aspect about them that make them desirable to collectors. Others think the value in sports cards lie within unique designs, errors, their favorite players, or a myriad of other reasons.
Keep in mind that, while collecting might come with the intent to sell at a later date, you should always collect to satisfy your passion for the sport and your favorite players first. For the purpose of this article, we are excluding 1 of 1’s and parallels. Let’s explore some of the top basketball base cards to get in the hobby!
3 Most Valuable Basketball Cards
1. The 1996 Topps Chrome #138 Kobe Bryant
The late Kobe Bryant had an undeniable impact on the sport, and it only stands to reason that fans of his would want to get their hands on a card that was produced so early in his career.
The 1996 Topps Chrome #138 Kobe Bryant is an extremely popular card and one that’s a bit more affordable for the modern collector (with very high-quality cards only totaling about $6,000).
If you’re looking for some of the most valuable basketball cards that are both rare and have sentimental value, this one is sure to sit at the top of your list.
2. The 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan RC #57
What are the best basketball cards to buy? Oftentimes, it’s those featuring players that have really made a name for themselves in the game. While Kobe Bryant is an excellent example of a player that many basketball fans will want to add to their collections, arguably the top player that should be in every collection is Michael Jordan.
The 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan RC #57 features Jordan in all his glory going in for a dunk. Much like many of the most valuable basketball cards, this one is actually quite affordable as well, coming in at the same price point as the Kobe Bryant card that we mentioned above.
3. The 1980-81 Topps Larry Bird RC, Magic Johnson RC, & Julius Erving
When you think of some of the most valuable basketball cards around, what do you envision? Most collectors might think of exciting parallels, inserts, or autographs featuring a single player that they want to add to their collection. However, this is not always the case. There are some cards that are truly a standout in comparison to other releases, and the 1980-81 Topps Larry Bird RC, Magic Johnson RC, and Julius Erving card is an excellent example of this.
Rather than featuring just one major player on a card, the 1980-81 Topps Larry Bird RC, Magic Johnson RC, and Julius Erving card completely revolutionizes the way we think about basketball cards by featuring three greats on one surface, each of which is its own mini card that can be torn off from the rest.
If you’re looking to get more bang for your buck while also getting your hands on some of the top players that you might wish to add to your collection, the 1980-81 Topps Larry Bird RC, Magic Johnson RC, and Julius Erving is one of the most valuable basketball cards around that offers this type of feature.
Want to Add Valuable Cards to Your Collection? Start With Giant Sports Cards
Looking for what the best basketball cards are to buy? Oftentimes, it’s those that are being released in modern hobby boxes and cases. Here at Giant Sports Cards, we help you access a wide range of brands and series to help you get your hands on the most valuable basketball cards as they’re released.
Alongside the newest releases at the lowest prices, you benefit from same business day shipping, free shipping on orders over $175, the ability to take $10 off your order when you sign up for our newsletter, and great customer service to help you should you be looking for something specific or have any questions about our inventory. Discover legendary sports cards today!