Login
From First Days to Free Agency: How to PC a Player Throughout Their Career
No matter what type of pack-ripper you meet, you can count on being asked the same question: Who do you collect? But what is a collector to do when their favorite player gets traded to a different team? What about a new arrival who takes the team to the next level—but has a rookie card featuring a rival’s jersey? There’s no Fanatics Jersey Assurance in the Hobby, and even if a trade—or Super Bowl win—spikes the price of your card, it might not look right in your display case.
Now that the dust has settled on both NBA Free Agency and the Super Bowl, the team at Mantel took a look at their personal collections to shine a light on the 3 different paths collectors can take when General Managers and big games move the market.
The Team Player
Let’s say you’re like me: a sad Chicago Bulls fan forever tethered to the team thanks to a combination of Michael Jordan, Derrick Rose, and a slew of other players who could rock the Madhouse on Madison any day of the week. Over the past few years, I’ve found myself attached to Coby White, the #7 overall pick in the 2019 draft. As he grew into his own, I built a collection around the rising star combo guard. Naturally, I gravitated towards his rookie cards, from RPAs to graded autos—a Noir Shadow Signatures /99 and a Contenders Silver Auto /49, just to name a few.
Then, the day before the trade deadline, my sweet prince is moved to his hometown team. Not only have my cards begun to drop in value, but my shrine display case looks a little… off… now that Coby’s no longer a Bull. Do I sell, take what I can get, and use those funds to buy similar cards from one of the squad’s rising stars like Matas Buzelis—or admit that the Bulls are a poverty franchise and commemorate the glory days by sticking to Jordan cards?
Whether you’re a sad Bulls fan like me or a Seahawks fan basking in the glory of that Super Bowl win, the most team-friendly approach is to stick to cards featuring players on their current team. Do the 12s really want a card featuring Darnold wearing Gotham Green? Sure, his rookie cards will always hold the highest value, but if you’re trying to commemorate Darnold’s career comeback, you certainly don’t want to stare at a Jets card. Thankfully, fans have a few options to consider:
Panini NFL Score – 1st of the Line – $125: Is it fair to call this Darnold’s “Seattle rookie card”? It reads oddly, that’s for sure, but grabbing the first-ever card featuring the redheaded QB in a Seahawks jersey feels like it fits the bill.
Panini Phoenix Auto – $275: This set has never screamed “high-end,” but if there ever were an appropriate term for the QB’s career, it was a fiery bird rising from the ashes. It features Darnold in a Seahawks jersey, comes in some nice numbered editions, and can have a (sticker) auto, too.
Panini Prizm Draft Legends – $299.99: I can’t imagine U Dub fans being too thrilled with anything SoCal, but hey, when it comes down to USC and the Jets, maybe the Trojans are the lesser of two evils.
Panini Immaculate – $2,125: For the fan who has had season tickets since the team landed in the PNW five decades ago. This deserves one of those fancy levitating display cases from Airtime.
The Investor
Sure, James Harden is now playing for his sixth team, but maybe this time’s the charm! With the NBA Trade Deadline seeing the bearded former MVP jump ship from LA to Cleveland, fans in “The Land” have a real shot at making it out of the (admittedly weak) East. And while purists wait for Topps to print cards featuring Harden in a Cavs jersey, investors have already jumped on the news.
Over on Alt, Harden is up 1.7% over the past 30 days—not exactly a glowing review of the Cavs’ chances of beating the Thunder, Nuggets, or Rockets, but something to consider given that rookie cards for the future Hall of Fame hooper regularly command thousands of dollars.
Another intriguing example involves former Bulls big man Lauri Markkanen and his new counterpart, Jaren Jackson Jr. After years of borderline abuse toward their fans, the Utah Jazz might finally be turning the corner; they made a splash at the deadline by trading for a star forward and putting together a depth chart that looks, dare I say, good. While the 30-day average for Jackson cards is down 5.3% on Alt—likely due to his season-ending knee surgery—if you’re as hyped as analysts about the prospects of the 2026-27 Jazz, now might be the time to buy into Lauri—or JJJ—rookie cards. In fact, since the trade, five JJJ cards have sold for $1,000 or more on eBay (six, if you count this beauty that went for $990).
The Hobby is a game to some, but for investors out there, staying ahead of the curve is key, and that means taking risks on rising stars. Sometimes it really is about the long game.
The Fan Favorite
Some root for their home team. Others are only in it for the money. But for a select few, it’s all about one thing: their favorite player.
PCs come in all shapes and sizes, but some of the most fascinating ones you’ll see here on Mantel revolve around a single athlete—whether that’s a star like new Wizards center Anthony Davis or a small (but mighty) player who rarely makes it onto the court, like 5’7” Bulls guard Yuki Kawamura. In the case of the latter, I would pay stupid sums of money to have a signed copy of a card featuring his jump ball win against 6’5” Heat guard Kasparas Jakucionis. Make it happen, Topps!
These types of collectors are attached to a player in a way that few of us will ever understand. Maybe the player had a magical NCAA tournament run for the collector’s alma mater. Maybe it’s a beloved franchise cornerstone that embodies the organization. Regardless, they’ve got display cases filled with rainbow parallels, rookie cards, and everything in between.
Normally, this angle is all about connecting with a player. However, in some cases, it can impact the market, as is the case with the famous Pokémon collector who is trying to purchase every Kabuto card. Or, you can become Internet famous by cornering the market for Steven Adams cards.
Personal collections come in all shapes and sizes. That’s one of the beauties of this whole card thing. But just like opening up a hobby box, this isn’t for the weak. There will be wins, losses, trades, and more. The cards come and go, but thankfully, there’s always something new to share on Mantel.
