2018 brought with it the arrival of generational talents in the form of the 2018 NBA Draft class, which was a boon for the NBA cards industry. Deandre Ayton went first to the Phoenix Suns, who were badly in need of a talented big man, while the Sacramento Kings picked Marvin Bagley III at second. Luka Doncic was then drafted third by the Atlanta Hawks, with Jaren Jackson Jr. coming in at fourth thanks to the Memphis Grizzlies picking him. The Dallas Mavericks used their fifth pick to select Trae Young and proceeded to trade him and a first-round pick to the Hawks for Doncic.
This blockbuster trade infused a new sense of life and excitement into the NBA. Both Doncic and Young would go on to headline the 2018-19 season, with Doncic ultimately winning Rookie of the Year. Young was certainly no slouch himself, though, and both players continue to blossom into NBA superstars in Year 3. Even with all the hype surrounding these two studs, they continue to blow past expectations.
The same can be said about Panini’s card insert designs during this year. Like said season, these inserts come in loud and leave a lasting impression on people who have seen them in person. Listed down below are the five most notable NBA insert designs from Panini’s 2018 NBA cards collection.
Kaboom
When it comes to NBA cards, Panini’s Kaboom is one of the company’s most iconic inserts ever. The 2018 edition from Panini Crown Royale features an explosive design that highlights the player in its center. The insert's loud look and short print run makes it a favorite among fans.
The 2018 Kaboom set features 25 of the league’s top stars during that time. One of the most expensive was one featuring Luka Doncic, which fetched $14,999 on eBay.
Downtown
Like the Kaboom insert, Panini’s Downtown card has been very popular among collectors. The insert’s cartoonish design, which sets the star among the notable landmarks of the city he’s playing for, is a timeless look that can withstand the test of time.
The 2018 Downtown can be pulled from Panini’s Cornerstones set. It features 20 of the league’s top stars and rookies, like Kyrie Irving, Giannis Antentokounmpo, and Collin Sexton.
Startups
The Startups insert from Panini’s Cornerstones set is composed of the top names from the 2018 rookie class. The card’s design is both intricate and clean, which results in a timeless look.
The Startups insert set consists of 40 rookies for the 2018-19 season. The biggest names included are Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Shai Glgeous-Alexander, and Michael Porter Jr., among others.
Le Cinque Piu Belle
Le Cinque Piu Belle, when translated, means the five most beautiful. As the name suggests, the players included in this 2018 insert set from Court Kings are the five biggest names in the NBA at the time. These are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Charles Barkley.
This NBA card itself resembles a painting with the player featured in the center. It has a super-short print run, affording it with a high price on the market. A BGS 9.5 Le Cinque Piu Belle of Kobe Bryant was recently sold for $3,999 last month.
Aurora
Like the previous entry, the Aurora insert set can also be found in Panini’s 2018 Court Kings product. The card’s design espouses a blast of color onto its surface with the star dead center.
Apart from the insert’s artistic look, the Aurora set is famous for its super-short print run and the inclusion of top names like Trae Young, Dirk Nowitzki, and James Harden.
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