It isn’t easy to stand out in a draft class dominated by the likes of Zion Williamson and Ja Morant. Although it’s not impossible, the odds of getting enough minutes to get noticed may be harder than what most of these sophomore players have anticipated. But with around three weeks of continuous action in the league, more and more fans are getting a glimpse of what some players from the 2019 Draft Class have to offer. The same can be said when it comes to NBA cards and the community itself.
Sure, chasing for the top rookies of this class will always be a priority for most card collectors. The thing is, these same NBA cards are becoming more and more expensive, especially when these players consistently contribute significant minutes to their respective teams.
In some cases, it would be better to spot a diamond in the rough before the crowd gets in on the action. In doing so, you get to buy low into a certain player and watch his value skyrocket while everyone else is looking at the main attractions. This will result in a large gain on your part. On the other hand, you won’t lose that much if these second-year players don’t pan out the way you expected them to. Learn more about why you should check these five underrated 2020-21 sophomores out and the potential they hold for your card collection.
1. De’Andre Hunter – Atlanta Hawks
With the 4th pick in the 2019 Draft, the Atlanta Hawks chose De’Andre Hunter to take their team’s defense to the next level. Although that was initially the plan, Hunter’s rookie season didn't exactly live up to his high lottery pick status. His performance at the start of the 2020-21 season may just be the redemption story Hunter needs.
In seven games, Hunter is averaging a solid 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2 assists in 32.3 minutes of playtime. The small forward is also shooting the lights out, making around 48% of his shots from downtown this season. Thanks to his contributions, Hunter is slowly playing his part in helping the Hawks fight their way back to the playoffs.
De’Andre Hunter’s Prizm rookie card, considered as the standard for card collectors everywhere, can be had for as low as $15. If he continues to contribute and the Hawks reach the playoffs this season, you can expect these NBA cards to rise up in value.
2. Keldon Johnson – San Antonio Spurs
Thanks to a trade made with the Toronto Raptors in 2018, the San Antonio Spurs were able to get Keldon Johnson with the 29th pick during the 2019 Draft. In that same season, the forward from Kentucky garnered averages of 9.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in just 17 games. It’s a different story for the first seven games of the 2020-21 season.
Johnson started all seven contests, averaging 15.1 points and 8.0 rebounds in the process. His breakout performance, along with San Antonio’s pivot to a youth movement, ensures that he gets to contribute solid numbers on a nightly basis.
As a result, more and more people in the card community are hunting Johnson’s cards. Before the new year, his Prizm rookie card sold for as low as $14. In recent days, it has risen to around $30. This increase reflects the sophomore’s improving performance this season. If his role further solidifies, card enthusiasts can see his rookie cards explode down the horizon.
3. Darius Garland – Cleveland Cavaliers
Most people dismissed Darius Garland after his rookie season with Cleveland Cavaliers last year. Thanks to coaching problems, an abysmal performance, and the lack of identity on the court, the Cavs never had a fighting chance against most teams. Couple that with the fact that Garland started off the year on the injured list. In the process, Garland’s development as a rookie never took off. That is, until the 2021 season.
A lot of fans didn’t believe the fit between Garland and third-year guard Collin Sexton because of their similar strengths in the same position. This year, people are starting to see how their duo, dubbed as SexLand, would play out. For his part, Garland is averaging 17.2 points and dishing out 6.3 dimes in just six games. He also shoots an average of 5 shots from downtown per game and is hitting an elite 46% of them.
While most collectors are fixated on getting Sexton, there’s value to be had when getting his backcourt partner’s cards. Garland’s Prizm rookie card recently sold for $10.5 at the start of 2021. If he continues his solid contribution and the Cavs make a surprising run, you can expect his card prices to steadily increase. This can become more of a reality if Garland becomes what McCollum has been to Lillard in Portland these past few years.
4. Cameron Johnson – Phoenix Suns
After his solid performance in the bubble, a lot of people worried about Cameron Johnson’s stock after the Phoenix Suns acquired Jae Crowder as their starting Power Forward. While some questioned Phoenix for selecting Johnson with the 11th pick, his contribution to the team’s surprising 8-0 bubble run makes their decision look smarter than initially thought.
Even if Crowder has solidified his role as a starter this season, it doesn’t mean Johnson won’t get a chance to prove his worth out on the court. His partnership with Cameron Payne is paying huge dividends for the Suns, especially when Devin Booker and Chris Paul are resting. Moreover, the spacing he provides from the bench and his above-average 39% three-point percentage rate are vital to keeping Phoenix’s playoff hopes alive.
Johnson’s Prizm rookie card is still relatively cheap with some being sold for $7.5 on eBay. This amount will drastically change if the Suns nab a playoff spot in the West. Until then, it’s wise to keep a close eye on this sophomore’s performance and card prices on the market.
5. Luguentz Dort – Oklahoma City Thunder
Those who were following the Oklahoma City Thunder’s surprising run last season were astounded when a rookie was assigned to guard James Harden during their playoff series. Rather than shy away from the challenge, Luguentz Dort stepped up to the plate and did his job in containing the Rockets’ superstar during the said series. Even though OKC lost to Houston in seven games, the card community took notice of Dort and what he brings to the table.
The second-year guard/forward from Canada is now considered as one of the Thunder’s key building pieces, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Darius Bazley. In just six games, Dort averages 14.2 points, 3.2 assists, and a steal in 27.7 minutes on the court. All things considered, those numbers are not bad for an undrafted rookie last season.
Thanks to his stellar performance against Harden and his improvement this season, collectors have been scooping up his NBA cards as a low-risk investment that can potentially go up. Unfortunately, Dort has no Prizm rookie card due to his undrafted status. Those who are on the chase for his rookie cards should check out 2019-20 Donruss Elite or NBA Hoops Premium Stock. The recent sale for the former went up all the way to $60 while the latter’s base version sells for an average of $4. Since Dort is getting a lot of minutes starting for a young Thunder squad, his potential to be a force on both ends of the floor is higher than some other sophomore players. Nabbing his cards might be more pricey than usual given he isn't featured in every set, but the rarity could more than make up for it in the long run.
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