When hunting for the hottest guys in the hobby, most collectors would go for Cade Cunningham or Evan Mobley. Of course, there is a strong case to be made for hobby staples, such as LeBron James or Luka Doncic cards. But what many don't realize is that there is a hidden gem in the market that might catch the market by surprise – Josh Giddey rookie cards.

Drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 6th pick in the 2021 Draft, the 19-year old Australian is making waves in the league for all the right reasons. With several impressive games under his belt, the hobby is finally taking notice of Giddey and his potential, both on the court and in the market.

Why Josh Giddey rookie cards are looking good lately

On paper, Giddey's situation in Oklahoma City isn't as exciting as many would have. The team is currently 14th in the Western Conference and dead last in offensive rating in the NBA. But even if things aren't look up for the Thunder, especially with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out with an injury, Giddey has been given the freedom to do what he does best.

And the rookie did just that recently when the Thunder went up against the New York Knicks in their own home, Madison Square Garden. In that contest, the combo guard posted 28 points by connecting 75% of his shots from beyond the arc, 50% from the field, and 50% from the charity stripe. He would also go on to notch 11 rebounds, 12 assists, and a single steal in 38 minutes on the court.

With those numbers, Giddey was able to lead the Thunder to a 127-123 overtime dub over the Knicks at MSG, with Julius Randle scoring 30 points in a losing effort for the home team. This win, along with a previous loss to the Chicago Bulls and a recent one to the San Antonio Spurs, saw the young stud achieving three straight triple-doubles. He now joins Oscar Robertson as the only rookies to achieve such a feat in the league.

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Of course, that game is just one example of what Giddey can truly do in the NBA. For most of the season, he has been showcasing his incredible court vision, playmaking, and all-around game. And while his three-point shot definitely needs improvement, the impact and potential he has for Oklahoma City is certainly there. His stellar talent on the court and amazing achievements are serving as catalysts to jumpstart those Josh Giddey rookie cards out there.`

The verdict on Josh Giddey rookie cards in the market

Even without that historic game putting the Thunder guard onto the map, Giddey was well on his way to solidify his place among the top rookies in the league. As of now, there aren't that much Josh Giddey rookie cards in the market since Panini hasn't released most of their products featuring players in their latest uniforms.

Image 1 - 2021-22 PANINI NBA HOOPS JOSH GIDDEY ROOKIE GREEN 75th SP 68/75! OKC THUNDER

One card that is in the market and standing out is this 20210-22 Panini NBA Hoops 75th Anniversary Green parallel card of the Thunder star. The card's classic design, paired with a limited print run of 75 copies, has catapulted its value to $200 on eBay. And while the base rookie offerings of Giddey are very affordable, that could change once Panini's more premium offerings, like Prizm and Optic, hits the market later this year.

When it does drop, expect those chrome-based Josh Giddey rookie cards to be a favorite among collectors. For now, it's best to hoard his numbered and low-popular offerings because they have a good chance of retaining their value as time goes by. In any case, the outlook for the Thunder's promising star in the card market is looking very good.