The hobby of NBA card collecting can be quite expensive, especially if you are looking for rookie cards of the likes of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum and Trae Young, to name a few. In fact, you'll likely break the bank just to get a Doncic rookie card, which is the hottest item in the market right now.
If you are into the hobby to find an investable card for the future, betting on the established stars is always a good choice. However, if you want affordable NBA rookie cards that have the potential for a big reward in the near future, there are actually quite a few undervalued NBA players whose rookie cards are yet to really surge.
With that said, we take a look at some of the most undervalued players and their cards that could very well be worthy investments and collections.
Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine is yet to make an All-Star team, and it didn't really help him that his teams throughout his six-year career so far haven't performed well. In three years each with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Chicago Bulls, the guard has failed to make the playoffs.
Given his situation, his rookie cards are still a bit undervalued.
However, considering that he is yet to enter his prime and he's taking the lead for a young Bulls team filled with young talent, LaVine could very well see a breakout campaign. An All-Star berth this 2020-21 in the East is highly possible as well, which makes it perfect to start collecting his rookie cards now.
Here's how some of his rookie cards are valued recently (per 130Point.com)
Brandon Ingram
How can the Most Improved Player of the Year be undervalued? Brandon Ingram undoubtedly had one of the best seasons in his young career with the New Orleans Pelicans, and things are trending up for him as he enters his second year with the uber-athletic Zion Williamson.
Nonetheless, that is exactly why it's the best time to buy his cards right now. With the future looking good after the Pelicans added more weapons this offseason, the value of Ingram cards could explode sooner rather than later.
For what it's worth, Ingram posted almost identical numbers with Jayson Tatum last season. However, the difference in the value of their rookie cards are night and day.
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown is a bit overshadowed by his more popular teammates in Tatum and Kemba Walker, so it's no surprise his rookie cards are undervalued. However, with the 24-year-old swingman developing into a true star and a leader in the NBA, he might just take the spotlight soon.
Brown has already established himself as one of the most influential leaders in the NBA, never shying away from speaking out for things that matter to his NBA brothers. There are even talks he could be the next president of the NBPA, which speaks volume about the work he has done. He may not be on LeBron James' level yet when it comes to influence off the court, but he is undoubtedly on his way there.
Also, it should be remembered that he was a borderline All-Star in 2019-20. There's no reason to believe he won't improve on his game, especially with more opportunities now following the departure of Gordon Hayward from the Boston Celtics.
Deandre Ayton
Thanks to Doncic and Young's quick rise to superstardom, much of the 2018 NBA Draft class has been left behind–and so are their rookie cards. Deandre Ayton is no exemption, despite being the No.1 pick of the said class.
However, with the Suns retooling and looking like playoff contenders, things are looking good for Ayton. The addition of Chris Paul should be beneficial for him, as his offensive arsenal could be fully unleashed with CP3 orchestrating the offense.
Having a mentor like Paul will certainly be helpful for Ayton, too. Could we see another situation like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who benefitted from Paul's presence and being the main man in his team? Absolutely! While the Suns are still Devin Booker's team, Ayton still figures to have a big role in the team.
Also, had it not been for his 25-game suspension at the start of the 2019-20 campaign, he could have been an All-Star candidate with the kind of production he put out when he returned.
Ja Morant
It's still not too late to jump on the Ja Morant bandwagon. While he did win Rookie of the Year, the rookie cards of the Memphis Grizzlies youngster still pales in comparison to that of Zion.
While his card value is rising quickly, it is still worth it to get and invest now considering the way he is trending. The future looks really bright for Morant, and it is a good thing he has remained healthy throughout his young career. Zion's injury history is a bit of concern for most NBA card collectors, which is why Morant is a safe and better choice for some.
Moreover, with a documentary about Morant set to be released, the hype around the former Murray State standout is expected to grow bigger.
Other undervalued rookie cards worth looking at: Marvin Bagley III, Devonte' Graham, Jaren Jackson Jr., De'Aaron Fox are also worth looking at.
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