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The trade deadline is done and the entire landscape of the NBA has drastically shifted. Contending teams bolstered their rosters in preparation for the postseason while some squads chose to sell their assets for the future. For sure, all of these changes will not just determine which franchise will come out on top, they’ll also affect how the basketball card market moves in the coming months.
In a way, card enthusiasts should pay closer attention to all of these trades. These new developments will either be the catalyst for a good profit or a big loss down the road. We take a look below at some of the biggest moves during the NBA trade deadline and their implications on card investors.
1. Victor Oladipo goes from Space City to South Beach
The Miami Heat sent Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, and a 2022 pick swap to the Houston Rockets for Victor Oladipo just before the trade deadline expired. This move, along with the acquisition of Trevor Ariza and Nemanja Bjelica, strengthens Miami’s roster towards a potentially deep playoff run. On paper, it also keeps them at par with various powerhouses in the East, such as the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks.
The arrival of Oladipo will certainly affect the minutes and usage rate of several youngs stars in Miami, namely Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn. A lot of card fans have invested in these two and if their numbers go down, so will their stock. On the other hand, their value can jump back up again if the Heat, at least, reach the Finals or Oladipo doesn’t live up to his expectations.
2. The Denver Nuggets win the Aaron Gordon sweepstakes
After six and a half seasons with the Orlando Magic, Aaron Gordon is now part of the Denver Nuggets. The high-flying forward fulfills a role left behind by Jerami Grant, when he signed with the Detroit Pistons. The Nuggets' trade deadline addition is expected to man the power forward spot, defend the opposing squad’s best wing, and provide another option on offense for the Nuggets.
Gordon’s inclusion into the lineup can somehow affect Michael Porter Jr.’s development and subsequently, his value in the card market. Porter needs to consistently put up good numbers to justify how card fans have invested in him. If he becomes a non-factor in Denver’s lineup or worse, a reason for them to lose games, people will sour on his cards, and Porter’s prices will definitely go down. Let’s hope the Nuggets can make their new lineup work to the benefit of people who have invested in both Porter and Gordon.
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3. The Chicago Bulls go all-in on Nikola Vucevic
As it stands, the Chicago Bulls are in 10th place in the East with a 19-24 record. The Boston Celtics are in 8th while the Indiana Pacers are in the 9th spot. With the way Chicago’s roster is structured, there seemed no way for them to overtake these squads and nab a playoff spot. Well, things are different now with the arrival of Nikola Vucevic.
The Orlando Magic sent out their All-Star big man, along with Al Farouq Aminu in exchange for Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr., and two future first-round picks. The Bulls also acquired Troy Brown Jr., Luke Kornet, and Daniel Theis in separate trades.
Like the Miami Heat, Chicago has a lot of young players card fans have already invested in. Some of these are Zach LaVine, Coby White, and Lauri Markkanen, to name a few. If Vucevic’s arrival does the trick to help the Bulls return to the postseason, their prices in the card market will enjoy a good spike. Better keep an eye on these guys, especially the rookie cards of LaVine and Vucevic, because they can become a hot commodity if Chicago heats up soon.
4. How the Houston Rockets’ loss can become a good investment opportunity
While the first three teams won the NBA trade deadline, the Rockets failed it. All they got for James Harden, a generational talent and one of the best offensive players ever, were Olynyk, Bradley, Dante Exum, half a season of Oladipo, and a couple of draft picks. But while Space City is down on its luck, it comes out with a player that may pay off if developed property – Kevin Porter Jr.
With Oladipo out of Houston, Porter has the chance to start with John Wall in the backcourt. It’s not a secret that he can score and create plays for his teammates. If Porter pans out in the right direction, he and Christian Wood will headline the Rockets sooner than later. When that happens, his rookie cards, which are steadily rising up, will become even more valuable.
These are just some of the few situations card fans should monitor closely. Apart from checking games, take a look too at recent price comparisons so you can see which player is trending up or falling down in the market. In this way, you can use the recent trade-related developments to plan your purchases wisely.
