Two days ago, LaMelo Ball fractured his right wrist in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. After undergoing an MRI in San Antonio a day after, the Charlotte Hornets announced that the rookie’s season is effectively over.

This piece of news comes off as a massive disappointment to basketball fans everywhere, especially with how Ball has been playing all season long. Throughout 41 games, the Rookie of the Year-favorite, averaged 15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 steals in 28.6 minutes per contest. He also displayed impressive efficiency from all over the court by shooting 50% from the field, 37% from the perimeter, and 79% from the free throw line.

All things considered, Ball was on his way to having a spectacular rookie season, especially with the Hornets on pace to make the playoffs. Of course, it isn’t Charlotte that has been solely affected by this development. Card enthusiasts are also bummed out by the fact that Ball won’t be able to play for the rest of the year. We take a look below at how his recent injury influences the NBA card market in more ways than one.

 

Ball’s card value will drop

There are two factors that will cause Ball’s stock in the card market to fall. The first of which is his season-ending wrist injury while the second is the offseason. At best, the Hornets will reach the first round of the playoffs if things go their way. The worst-case scenario is Charlotte will miss the postseason entirely. Either way, it won’t be until late this year when Ball’s hype will return and drive his value up again. But before that happens, his card prices will surely experience a drop in the coming days, weeks, or even months.

Hornets, LaMelo Ball

If the worst-case scenario happens, Ball’s teammates will be affected as well. Those who have invested in Charlotte’s key players, such as Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, PJ Washington, or Miles Bridges, would do well to keep a close eye on the team. Their card prices will certainly fall down if the Hornets miss the playoffs this year.

Edwards and Haliburton’s stock will rise

With Ball out for the season, the race for the league’s top rookie has changed in an instant. The top two names who can benefit the most from this development are the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards and the Sacramento Kings’ Tyrese Haliburton.

Edwards is currently having a good stretch of games, including a 42-point outburst against the Phoenix Suns. Even if the Wolves are the worst team in the league, Ant Man’s impressive performance this month has everyone excited for his potential as a star in the NBA, and his promising stock in the card market.

Haliburton, for his part, has just come back from an injury of his own. In a recent game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the rookie showed off by notching 28 points as part of the starting lineup in a win over the Wine and Gold.

Of course, there are other names in the rookie race worth looking into. Card fans would be wise to keep a close eye on Immanuel Quickley, James, Wiseman, Payton Pritchard, and Patrick Williams, among others. Adding the Rookie of the Year plum can definitely add some additional shine towards the winning rookie, which everyone expected was going to be LaMelo Ball.

With Ball out for the rest of the season, Edwards and Haliburton will emerge as the premiere names card investors will closely monitor. 

 

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The playoff race in the East and the stars involved

Ball’s absence can be the catalyst to Charlotte missing the playoffs this year. If they do, one or two teams in the Eastern Conference will surely benefit from their loss, including the stars in those franchises and their corresponding cards in the market.

LaMelo Ball, Malik Monk, Hornets

As it stands, the Hornets are in fifth place with a 21-21 record. Above them are the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks, tied in the fourth spot with each having 22 wins and 21 losses. Below Charlotte are the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Indiana Pacers. Of these seven teams, two will definitely bow out of the playoff race. 

Ball’s injury complicates Charlotte’s chances of making the postseason. The Hornet’s loss will certainly be another team’s gain. If one of the teams mentioned above enters the playoffs, their key players will enjoy a boost to their card prices. That’s why card investors should keep track of important names in the East, such as Jimmy Butler, Trae Young, RJ Barrett, Jayson Tatum, Zach Lavine, and Domantas Sabonis, to name a few. Some of these players will, in a way, benefit from Charlotte’s potential fall from the playoff race.

With Ball bowing out for the rest of the season, the dominos are starting to fall down in the east. For sure, there will be a lot of trending news and developments coming up, especially with the trade deadline approaching. Card fans, for their part, should keep a close eye on these things to safeguard the value of their card collection.