It's easy for collectors to focus on the big names in the hobby, such as rookie cards that bear Luka Doncic and Ja Morant's profile on them. Undoubtedly, these two draw a lot of attention among card enthusiasts, thanks to their stellar showing this season and immense potential in the league. But while everyone is looking their way, there's one guy who can fly under the radar and surprise us all when everything is said and done – Anthony Edwards.
After finishing second in the Rookie of the Year race to the Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball last season, Edwards has been low-key on fire for the better part of his sophomore campaign. We tackle why collectors shouldn't be completely sleeping on the rookie card stock of this Minnesota Timberwolves star.
Why Anthony Edwards rookie cards can potential surge soon
To put things into context, one must examine Edwards' numbers and impact during his first year in the NBA. In the 72 games he played last season, Antman posted averages of 19.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per contest.
And while his efficiency from the field (41%) and from the three-point line (32%) left a lot to be desired at that time, his overall impact on the Timberwolves and fiery disposition drew a lot of attention on the young star. Speaking of attention, there were several moments like these that instantly made Edwards known in the NBA and in the hobby.
But when it comes to succeeding, not only on the court but in the card market, as well a young star has to show more than his insane dunking skills. Edwards needs to translate his otherworldly athleticism and confidence into quantifiable results, such as helping Minnesota win. Unfortunately, the Timberwolves finished last season 13th place in a tough Western Conference, mainly due to prolonged absences of Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell who experienced various injuries at that time.
With a clean slate and several additions to the roster, Edwards and the Timberwolves are looking to make a clear statement this year. In the 53 games he has played so far, the sophomore has slightly upped his numbers to 21.9 points on 43% shooting from the field, 35% from downtown, and 77% from the foul line. Edwards is grabbing more rebounds (4.8), dishing more assists (3.6), and making more steals (1.5) in the 34.6 minutes he plays every game.
All of these numbers, along with stellar offensive performances from Towns and Russell, not to mention the tenacity of Patrick Beverley and Jarred Vanderbilt on defense, has given Minnesota its best chance to make the postseason in years. They are currently in 7th place in the West, with the Denver Nuggets ahead and the Los Angeles Clippers behind them.
This potential development will only be good for Edwards' rookie card value. In the event Minnesota does reach the playoffs and the Charlotte Hornets fail to do so, since they are currently in 9th place in the East, a lot of collectors will wonder if Antman's stock is better than that of last season's Rookie of the Year awardee, LaMelo Ball.
When putting all of these things together, his solid stats and a chance to make the postseason over his closest rival, Edwards' rookie cards can potentially enjoy a boost up in the coming months. If that happens, expect more attention to be drawn to his stock in the market.
The state of Anthony Edwards rookie cards in the market
Without a doubt, Edwards is among the two top guys to get from last year's Draft Class, with the other one being Ball. Even if that's the case, it hasn't stopped his PSA 10 Prizm Silver rookie card from sliding down in the market.
In a three-month graph by Card Ladder, the said rookie card started off at $1,550 late last year. And while there have been sales that spiked its value up, the overall trend was still down, until it has reached its current price of $979. This period covers a total of 95 confirmed sales, bringing the average price to $1,122.
These numbers point out to a -36.81% growth rate for a graded card that has a PSA population count of 479. All things considered, its price is still high, although the slow trend towards during that period can't be denied.
Edwards' base Prizm rookie card, on the other hand, is doing a little bit better than its Silver counterpart. In a Card Ladder graph covering the said period, its price has gone up from $322 to 355.
That's a 10.08% rate of growth for a card that has a lesser population count of 179 over at PSA. It remains to be seen in the coming months where an upward trajectory will be solidified or it's just a blip towards a downward slope.
The verdict on Anthony Edwards rookie cards
There are pretty good reasons to stock up on those Anthony Edwards stock in the NBA card market. For starters, the sophomore is having a good year with credible stats, especially those that concern his offensive prowess. Even with a glimpse of his highlights this season and the last, one can end up with the conclusion that this young stud is a high-level bucket maker in the making.
Second, the Timberwolves are on the cusp of making the playoffs. The last time they did it, Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggings were still on the team. Now, they have a chance to make it with a roster that's growing and bonding organically.
Third, the prices of Anthony Edwards are more affordable than those of Ball, Morant, and other young guards in the league. This gives his card stock a healthy ceiling to reach as the regular season makes way to the playoffs.
With these reasons in mind, there's no reason not to get more of those Anthony Edwards rookie cards in the market. Even if the Timberwolves fail to make a splash, his impressive growth and immense potential is more than enough to launch him in the coming years.
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