It isn't surprising to see Ja Morant's NBA card stock quickly go up early this season. After taking the league by storm during his rookie and sophomore campaigns, the Memphis Grizzlies‘ franchise player is taking things up a notch in his third year. With an All-Star spot seemingly reserved for the explosive guard, his value in the card market is tagging along for the ride as well.
We take a look at Morant's leap this season and how his stock is getting better because of it.
The Reason Why Ja Morant's NBA card stock is on the rise
Among the rookies from the 2019 Draft Class, it's Morant who's making a statement in the league and in the card market right now. Although Zion Williamson's stock reigned for the past two years, the hotter name right now belongs to the Grizzlies' point guard. And it isn't just because of his flashy dunks or intensity on the court that's pushing Morant's stock upward.
Ja's first year in the league saw him captivate everyone, thanks to his insane athleticism and shades of Russell Westbrook in him. In the 67 games he played and started for Grit and Grind, the 6'3″ guard averaged 17.8 points on 47% shooting from the field, 33% from three, and 77% from the free-throw line. While his profile didn't exactly put him as a threat from beyond the arc, Morant's playmaking skill was very evident with 7.3 assists per game.
The Grizzlies' franchise star saw an incremental leap during his second year in the NBA. From his numbers the year before, Morant posted 19.1 points and 7.4 assists on 45/30/72 shooting splits. Although his efficiency with the ball grew worse during the regular season, he would go on to explode in the five postseason games he played against the Utah Jazz.
In that series, Morant would elevate his game and take it to another level. In those five matches, he averaged 30.2 points 4.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists to lead Memphis against the Jazz. While the Grizzlies would eventually lose to Utah in the first round, everyone got to see Playoff Morant and how wicked he can get while he was in the spotlight. The question was, can he translate that performance to the regular season?
After 16 games since the new season started, the answer is turning out to be a resounding yes. During that stretch, Morant is taking the leap and placing himself squarely into the All-Star conversation by averaging 25.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.6 steals per contest. What's evident, though, is the improvement of his jumper with percentages of 49% from the field and connecting 36% of his 4.8 attempts from downtown. With the regular season projected to drag on until April, Ja will have a lot of time to be consistent with his shot and become a better overall player in the process.
Just by taking a look at his numbers, it's evident that Morant is putting himself as one of the league's best players and among the youngest stars everyone should look out for. At the same time, his NBA card stock is reflecting that rise as well. With the way he's balling out on the court, it's no wonder why Ja is among the hottest names in the hobby right now.
The verdict on Ja Morant's NBA card stock
During the offseason, Ja Morant rookie cards, specifically his PSA 10 2019 Prizm Silver, was on a plateau, just like every stock in the market at that time. A few months ago, it was resting at the $1,500-mark. After quite some time, that's price jumped up to a peak value of $2,200 on eBay over a week ago. Some of the catalysts that caused this jump over the past few months are Morant's MVP-like game and an increasing popularity among basketball fans and card collectors alike.
Of course, that price went back down to earth, especially after a dismal stretch of games for the Grizzlies. Now that their record has gone down to 8-8 in the Western Conference, Morant's stock has somehow dipped a bit, as is the case with every player in the card market right now.
Don't fret, though, because this is a good chance to get a good player at a price that doesn't come by that much. Be on the lookout for those numbered and short-print Ja Morant NBA card stock and catch them while their prices are down. Chances are, they can go back up right around February when the All-Star game participants are announced, with Ja among the leading candidates being flouted. By then, his rookie cards will potentially take a leap once more.
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