NBA Rookie Cards: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 4 best from 2018 Draft

When it comes to NBA rookie cards, especially from the 2018 Draft where guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were seleceted, it becomes...

Basketball fans have always revered three NBA Draft classes above all the others – 1984, 1996, and 2003. The first two gave fans Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant respectively, while the last one produced the King himself, LeBron James. Although the Class of 2018 is still young and raw, there are a lot of indications they can give their predecessors a run for their money. In this post, we're looking at specific NBA rookie cards.

We take a look below at the best rookies not named Luka Doncic or Trae Young to invest in from the 2018 Draft Class.

NBA Rookie Cards From 2018 Draft Class

Jaren Jackson Jr. Rookie Cards

While most of the spotlight is focused on Ja Morant, there’s a strong case to be made for Jaren Jackson Jr. The Memphis Grizzlies’ big man went through a promising rookie year and suffered disappointing campaigns in his second and third year in the league.

While these lost seasons can be attributed to injuries, the potential of Jackson still remains. He is one of the few guys who boast elite size, rim protection and shot creation from beyond the arc. His particular set of skills fit the mold of the modern big man in the NBA, something that can help Memphis break out next season.

As of now, Jackson’s PSA 10 Prizm Silver rookie card is valued at $310. That price can shoot up next season, especially now that he can get more minutes at the 5.

Michael Porter Jr. Rookie Cards

Last season, Michael Porter Jr. broke out from obscurity and became the Denver Nuggets’ third option behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. And with the latter bowing out before the postseason due to an injury, Porter found himself needed to keep Mile High City’s offense afloat.

His value became more apparent when the Nuggets entered the playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. In that series, MPJ averaged 18.8 points on 53% shooting from the field, 41% from downtown, and 91% from the charity stripe. He also posted 6.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and a steal in 34.6 minutes.

Although he was a non-factor in the Nuggets’ second round-exit, courtesy of the Phoenix Suns, Porter’s upside was clearly on display for everyone to see. With a current PSA 10 Prizm Silver rookie card value of $500, there’s still a long way for this young forward to go, both on the court and in the card market.

Gary Trent Jr. Rookie Cards

Of the 58 games Gary Trent Jr. played last season, 17 of those were for the Toronto Raptors. Traded by the Portland Trail Blazers before the deadline, Trent immediately made an impact by bringing his offensive prowess to the North.

In those 17 games, Trent averaged 16.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 steals in 31.8 minutes per contest. Right off the bat, the 6’5” wing provided offense to the Raptors whenever they need it. As a result, Trent was awarded a three-year $54 million contract by Toronto during the offseason.

It’s easy to see Trent exploding on offense at some point next season. When that happens, his current PSA 10 Prizm Silver rookie card value of $142 will certainly trend up.

Collin Sexton Rookie Cards

It’s easy to see Collin Sexton as a one-dimensional player who can just get buckets for his team. What many collectors don’t realize is the Cleveland Cavaliers’ guard is on the precipice of true stardom with the massive leap he took last season as his team’s number one option.

In 60 games he played for the Cavs, the Young Bull averaged 24.3 points on 47% shooting from the field, 37% from deep, and 81% from the free-throw line. Sexton also managed to nab 3.1 boards, 4.4 dimes, and a steal per contest.

Whether he will be traded to another team or not, there’s no denying Sexton is an alpha scorer. If he does get moved to a contending team, Sexton’s stock will definitely attract a lot of interest in the market. This potential scenario will boost his current PSA 10 Prizm Silver rookie card value of $381 up.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Rookie Cards

Out of all the 2018 Draft Class guys who aren’t Doncic or Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is possibly the most talented of them all. From playing second fiddle to Chris Paul in his sophomore campaign, SGA became the Oklahoma City Thunder’s top guy during his third year in the league.

Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander notched 23.7 points on an efficient 50% from the field, 41% from three, and 80% from the free-throw line. The 6’6” combo guard also orchestrated OKC’s offense by handing out 5.9 assists while posting 4.7 rebounds.

While his last season was derailed by a foot injury, collectors can expect Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cards to be unleashed when the NBA starts in a couple of months. With him at the head of a young and talented Thunder squad, they have the chance to defy expectations and make a surprising run in the Western Conference. If that becomes a reality, SGA’s PSA 10 Prizm Silver rookie card will go up from its present price of $751.

With most collectors are focused on young stars from recent drafts, those from the 2018 class still present a lot of value for their prices on the market right now. Better stock up on these guys because they have every chance to take a leap, both on the court and in NBA rookie cards value, when the new season opens.