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After missing two whole seasons and a good chunk of this one, Klay Thompson has finally returned to the Golden State Warriors. But before that happened, Jordan Poole got to grow up before our very eyes and developed into the player he is today. With the Warriors currently on a losing streak, one has to wonder which of their two shooters is the better rookie card investment for collectors?
We take a deep dive below and determine which among Thompson and Poole offers the better option in the hobby.
The case for Klay Thompson rookie cards
Even with the league failing to include him in its list of the 75 greatest players to ever play the game, Thompson is still one in the hearts and minds of collectors. With several notable records broken and three rings to his name, it isn't hard to imagine the demand and value of this Splash Brother in the market.
In his last regular season before the injuries, the Warriors' shooting guard was averaging 21.5 points on 46% efficiency from the field, 40% from downtown, and 81% from the free throw line. He was also adding 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in 34 minutes per contest.
And if collectors need any reminding how good Thompson was, his early match against the Chicago Bulls during the 2018-19 season is a good example. In that game, the All-Star guard notched 52 points by connecting 62% from the field and 58% from three. The great thing about this performance was that Thompson managed to score all of these points within 26 minutes on the floor.
Fast forward to this season and it seems there's some rust left in Thompson's body after being out for so long. In 19 games, he's averaging 16.7 points on 40/36/94 shooting splits, 4 rebounds, and 2.9 steals in 26.1 minutes per game. It also doesn't help that the Warriors have only won three games out of the last 10 they played.
In all of these details, there are several strong points that collectors should consider about these Klay Thompson rookie cards. For starters, he's a lock to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the future. He's known as one of the best shooters in the game with multiple rings to cement his legacy. Of course, this claim is clearly reflected in his rookie stock in the card market.
Thompson's 2012 Prizm rookie card is among the best one can get from this first-year set. As it stands, the All-Star's base PSA 10 Prizm is going for $476 in the market while the rarer Silver parallel is worth $7,800. These prices clearly show the value and demand Thompson's definitive rookie card has within the hobby.
It also sends a message that investing in this PSA 10 slab will be worth it because of what the All-Star has done in his 11-year career with the Warriors. Those reasons give Thompson a strong fight in this battle with his teammate, Jordan Poole.
The case for Jordan Poole rookie cards
As great as Thompson has been for the Warriors, it can't be denied that his recent performances have left a lot to be desired from the All-Star. In the hype leading to his return, collectors were made to believe that Thompson's return would transform Golden State back to their dominant championship form and steamroll opposing squads on their way to the postseason.
That hasn't been the case so far, largely because Draymond Green has missed a lot of time due to an injury. It also doesn't help that Klay's contribution on the offensive end of the court isn't what it used to be. That's why it makes sense for some in the hobby to gravitate towards Poole's rookie cards.
In his first two seasons in the NBA, Poole was averaging 10.3 points on 38% shooting from the field, 31% from downtown, and 84% from the free throw line while contributing 3.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. With Thompson out as the current season started, Poole used this opportunity to increase his numbers to 16.6 points by connecting 44% of his shots from the field, 35% from deep, and a league-leading 92% from the charity stripe.
The thing to consider about Poole's progress is that he's generating offense as a reserve playing 28.7 minutes per game. Add the fact that his PSA 10 Prizm rookie cards are ridiculously more affordable than those of Thompson in the market. As it stands, gem-mint slabs of his base and Silver Prizms are currently worth $35 and $245.
The only knock against Poole is that Thompson is the safer investment option because of what he has accomplished in his career. But if you look at this battle from a talent and price perspective, the younger guard presents a compelling case against the more established veteran.
The verdict on which is the better Warrior for rookie card collectors
It can't be denied that Poole's rookie cards have a better room to grow in the hobby. Thanks to his progress and tempting prices, collectors can readily scoop up his stock and potentially sell them for a good profit down the road.
But that's the thing with these Jordan Poole rookie cards. Collectors will have to contend with several uncertainties that come with the young guard. For one, it isn't sure yet that he can get his numbers up or produce consistently on a nightly basis. And there's always the chance for the injury bug to strike and dampen his value in the process.
On the other hand, even with how he's performing this season, Thompson remains to be the better card investment for collectors. Keep in mind that the guy is a multiple-time All-Star, champion, and an elite shooter, among others. Taking all of these details together and the Splash Brother will still have an advantage over his young teammate in the card market.
