LeBron James’ Market Thrives as He Closes on Scoring Record

LeBron James is quickly closing in on the NBA’s all-time scoring record, and collectors and investors have just as quickly turned their attention to his card market.

Already-high prices make any significant movement tough, but James has managed just that in this week’s NBA Market Movers update.

Cards listed below are PSA 10s with a minimum average of $30 and 10 sales over the last 30 days.

PRICE GROWTH PERCENTAGE RISERS

1. Rui Hachimura 2019 Prizm Silver PSA 10 📈 194%

2. Nic Claxton 2019 Prizm Silver PSA 10 📈 165%

3. Jonathan Isaac 2017 Prizm Base PSA 10 📈 143%

4. Bam Adebayo 2017 Prizm Base PSA 10 📈 116%

5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2018 Optic Shock PSA 10 📈 84%

TRADE LIFTS HACHIMURA: The No. 9 overall pick back in 2019, Rui Hachimura has been a popular buy-low candidate in the hobby since coming into the league with the Wizards, but a recent trade to the Lakers may have flipped his market completely.

Hachimura’s ability to play both the 3 and 4 and guard multiple positions has already allowed him to break into the starting lineup in LA, and his card market has adjusted accordingly. Hachimura’s PSA 10 rookies tracked by Market Movers are up 57% collectively over the last 30 days across 160 total sales, and his Prizm rookies have been some of key winners.

Hachimura’s 2019 Prizm Silver PSA 10 has been the biggest riser, with a 194% jump to a $94 price point after going for $32 just a month ago.

PRICE GROWTH PERCENTAGE DECLINERS

1. Zion Williamson 2019 Mosaic Pink Camo PSA 10 📉 57%

2. LaMelo Ball 2020 Mosaic Pink Camo PSA 10 📉 50%

3. Luka Doncic 2018 Select Concourse PSA 10 📉 46%

4. Paolo Banchero 2022 Panini Instant RPS First Look PSA 10 📉 45%

5. LaMelo Ball 2020 Revolution Base PSA 10 📉 40%

BALL’S MARKET SLIDES: Multiple injuries have limited LaMelo Ball to just 25 games this season, and his card market has taken a rough turn with those missed games piling up. Charlotte has fallen to just 15-37 on the season — the Hornets have just eight wins in Ball’s 25 starts — and the franchise seems to be heading toward a top lottery pick with increasing velocity.

A hobby favorite for much of last year, Ball’s PSA 10 rookies tracked by Market Movers have dipped 5% over the last 30 days across over 600 sales. Less popular cards like those shown above don’t always indicate major issues, but Ball’s key Prizm rookies trending down is a red flag.

His 2020 Prizm Base PSA 10 has managed to remain mostly steady over the last month, but his 2020 Prizm Silver PSA 10 has dropped 20% over that same period.

DOLLAR GROWTH RISERS

1. LeBron James 2003 Topps Chrome Base PSA 10 📈 $2,710

2. LeBron James Topps Base PSA 10 📈 $450

3. Luka Doncic 2018 Prizm Silver PSA 10 📈 $125

4. Michael Jordan 1991 Upper Deck Base PSA 10 📈 $125

5. Kevin Durant 2007 Factory Set PSA 10 📈 $108

JAMES CLOSES IN: LeBron James’ pursuit of the all-time NBA scoring title has been a major storyline this season, and he’s just a few games away at this point. He moved into the top five all-time in assists, too, and his key Topps rookies have taken off over the last month.

James’ 2003 Topps Base PSA 10 has jumped $450 in price and is now trending over $2,300. His 2003 Topps Chrome Base PSA 10 has been a massive winner as well, and recently saw a new sale bring the average price up to over $8,500. With cards already so expensive, any major movement like this should be considered extremely impressive.

DOLLAR GROWTH DECLINERS

1. Zion Williamson 2019 Prizm Silver PSA 10 📉 $144

2. Jalen Green 2021 Prizm Silver PSA 10 📉 $140

3. Donovan Mitchcell 2017 Prizm Silver PSA 10 📉 $125

4. Stephen Curry 2009 Prestige Base PSA 10 📉 $105

5. Luka Doncic 2018 Select Concourse PSA 10 📉 $86

SALES VOLUME LEADERS

1. Luka Doncic 2019 Prizm Base PSA 10 📈 170 sales

2. Ja Morant 2019 Prizm Base PSA 10 📈 169 sales

3. Zion Williamson 2019 Prizm Base PSA 10 📈 165 sales

4. Luka Doncic 2018 Donruss Base PSA 10 📈 121 sales

5. Zion Williamson 2019 Mosaic Base PSA 10 📈 118 sales

POPULAR SEALED WAX (HOBBY BOXES WITH MIN. 10 SALES OVER LAST 30 DAYS)

1. 2022 Hoops Basketball 📈📉 0%

2. 2021 Contenders Optic Basketball 📉 10%

3. 2022 Contenders Draft Picks Basketball 📈 16%

4. 2021 Select Basketball 📉 9%

5. 2021 Immaculate Basketball 📉 10%

MARKET PULSE INDEXES OVER LAST 30 DAYS

Basketball 2018-2020: 📉 4%

• KEY RISER: Luka Doncic 2018 Prizm Silver PSA 10 📈 6%
• KEY DECLINER: LaMelo Ball 2020 Prizm Silver PSA 10 📉 20%

Basketball 2010-2017: 📉 1%

• KEY RISER: Jaylen Brown 2016 Prizm Silver PSA 10 📈 66%
• KEY DECLINER: Kobe Bryant 2012 Crusade Base PSA 10 📉 60%

Basketball 2000-2009: 📈 14%

• KEY RISER: LeBron James 2003 Topps Chrome Base PSA 10 📈 47%
• KEY DECLINER: LeBron James 2003 Bowman R/S Base PSA 10 📉 13%

Basketball 1990-1999: 📉 2%

• KEY RISER: Shaquille O’Neal 1992 Topps Gold PSA 10 📈 22%
• KEY DECLINER: Michael Jordan 1993 Fleer Ultra Scoring Kings PSA 9 📉 11%

Basketball 1980-1989: 📉 1%

• KEY RISER: Reggie Miller 1988 Base PSA 10 📈 30%
• KEY DECLINER: Bird/Erving/Johnson 1990 PSA 8 📉 20%

Basketball 1979 & Older: 📉 14%

• KEY RISER: Bob Pettit 1957 Topps Base PSA 6 📈 62%
• KEY DECLINER: Moses Malone 1975 Topps Base PSA 9 📉 26%

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