Court Vision: Devin Booker Market Cools Despite Hot Start

Despite leading the Phoenix Suns to a 14-3 start while shooting a career-best from 3-point range, Devin Booker’s market has cooled significantly in recent weeks. With his key 2015 Prizm Base PSA 10 nearing a new low over the last year, is now the time to buy in?

We cover that and more in this week’s Court Vision.

Court Vision focuses on a premier list of players and their key rookies during the NBA season. The list will feature different players as the season progresses, depending on performance and any transactions/moves that may impact their existing value. 

Top Stars

Giannis Antetokounmpo — Forward — Milwaukee Bucks

Last year’s MVP appears poised to compete for the award again in 2021-2022 while his Bucks remain one of the East’s top contenders. Antetokounmpo’s key 2013 Prizm Base PSA 10 is down about 10% on eight sales over the last seven days, though that volume for a card averaging over $1,700 is still impressive. Collectors have also targeted his 2013 Hoops Base PSA 10 over the last week for a 16% bump in price across six sales.

Devin Booker — Guard — Phoenix Suns

As we mentioned, Booker and the Suns are off to a fantastic start, and look like they’ll again compete for the top spot in the West. Booker’s scoring is down a bit, but his 3-point shooting is up big so far. His 2015 Prizm Base PSA 10 continues to trend down, dropping 8% over the last week. For those wanting to buy the dip, that Prizm’s current $450 average is near its low over the last 365 days.

Steph Curry — Guard — Golden State Warriors

Curry and the Warriors appear to be the best team in the NBA right now, and that’s before they get back Klay Thompson. Currently on pace to break his own single-season 3-point record, Curry continues to melt defenses from beyond the arc while role players like Jordan Poole, Gary Payton II and Andrew Wiggins consistently chip in strong production. Curry’s 2009 Topps Base PSA 10 hasn’t moved much recently due to its $10,000 price, though hobbyists have targeted his 2009 Upper Deck Draft Edition Base PSA 10 over the last week. With an average sale of about $380 over the last seven days, it’s a reasonable rookie if you don’t mind the Davidson jersey.

All-Stars

Ja Morant — Guard — Memphis Grizzlies

Morant continues to play like an MVP candidate, though pop culture has gotten involved this week with one of his rookies. Morant’s 2019 Prizm Base PSA 10 and 2019 Optic Base PSA 10 are the typical targets for most collectors, but this week it’s been his 2019 Chronicles Panini Base PSA 10. The card shows Morant flexing after a play with rapper Young Dolph in the background. The Memphis rapper was recently killed, and fans have driven the price up 136% across 20 sales over the last seven days.

Zach LaVine — Guard — Chicago Bulls

If LaVine’s market hasn’t moved much by now, it might not ever. The guard has been playing at an MVP level through the season’s first 18 games, and the Bulls appear to be legit contenders in the East. Despite the early success, LaVine’s market hasn’t moved much at all over the last month. His key 2014 Prizm Base PSA 10 and 2014 Select Concourse PSA 10 have just 17 total sales over the last 30 days. Unless LaVine wins an MVP or a title, it’s hard to see the hobby embracing him much.

Zion Williamson — Forward — New Orleans Pelicans

While Williamson has yet to play this season, a pop count issue has popped up for his 2019 Prizm Base PSA 10. Arguably the most iconic card from the 2019 NBA Draft class, that Prizm recently crossed the 20,000 mark, according to GemRate. Down 7% over the last seven days across 65 sales, that massive population should be reason enough to target another Williamson rookie, if you haven’t already.

Rising Stars

RJ Barrett — Forward — New York Knicks

Barrett and the Knicks have stumbled some after a strong start, though much of their recent schedule has been against likely playoff teams. Barrett’s 3-point shooting has really dipped in recent days, and his 2019 Prizm Base PSA 10 has fallen along with it. While that Prizm Base PSA 10 is down about 10% over the last week, some focus has shifted to Barrett’s 2019 Mosaic Base PSA 10 — up 21% over the last week, that rookie can be snagged for about $20.

Jordan Poole — Guard — Golden State Warriors

There were plenty of reasons to be skeptical about Poole to start the season — playing time and lack of experience were both major topics — but he’s quieted most of those concerns. Poole’s future in Golden State’s lineup is still uncertain with Klay Thompson cleared to start practicing again, though it’s hard to see the Warriors not finding a major role for the third-year guard based on his performance so far. Poole has been averaging over 18 PPG through 17 games while his key 2019 Prizm Base PSA 10 has climbed 17% on 24 sales over the last week.

Michael Porter Jr. — Forward — Denver Nuggets

Porter Jr.’s season might already be over. A bad back that has worried fans and collectors alike for a while now has popped up again, and a nerve issue could require season-ending surgery. What’s weird about his card market, though, is that his key 2018 Prizm Base PSA 10 has been climbing over the last week. Up 17% over the last seven days, collectors might be mistiming his market a bit if he doesn’t return healthy soon.

Rookies to Watch

Scottie Barnes — Forward — Toronto Raptors

A sprained thumb has slowed Barnes’ hot start, but there’s still so much to be encouraged about with the Raptors forward. He still does a little bit of everything, and shows potential to be a triple-double machine down the line. Barnes’ 2021 Chronicles Draft Picks Optic Rated Rookie Raw has been averaging about $6.60 over the last week with a month-long upward trend.

Cade Cunningham — Guard — Detroit Pistons

The shooting stats aren’t there yet, but Cunningham’s points, rebounds and assists are all strong through 11 games. After a rough start, he’s showing flashes of the player Detroit saw when they quickly snagged him with the No. 1 overall pick. The 2021 Chronicles Draft Picks set is still the only real product to focus on right now for this rookie class, and Cunningham’s Optic Rated Rookie Raw from that set is averaging a little over $7 across 14 sales over the last seven days.

Evan Mobley — Forward — Cleveland Cavaliers

While Cunningham has played well, Mobley has been incredible so far for the Cavaliers — especially on defense. On the court, it’s hard to argue against Mobley being the best player from that 2021 NBA Draft class right now. In the card market, though, it’s more likely he turns into a Rudy Gobert-type player unless he makes major improvements on offense. Mobley’s 2021 Chronicles Draft Picks Optic Rated Rookie Raw has been averaging about $8 per sale over the last week.

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