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For as long as anyone can remember, collectors would often grab Trae Young or Luka Doncic rookie cards at first sight. To an extent, some of their fellow 2018 Draft Class members, like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Michael Porter Jr., get more love from the hobby. But while almost everyone is busy on these guys, the number one pick from that year is sneakily providing more upside to collectors – Deandre Ayton.
Those looking for someone to bet on for next season don’t need to look far. We take a look below at three reasons why investing in Deandre Ayton cards is a sure bet to take.
Deandre Ayton cards Will Benefit From The Big Man’s Leap This Postseason
Those who have been following the NBA for quite some time expected someone like Doncic or Jayson Tatum to reach the NBA Finals. Never in anyone’s wildest dreams did they foresee Ayton to beat most young stars in his generation.
And what a leap did the big man make. In the 18 games Ayton played in his first playoff experience, the 6’11” center averaged 16.2 points on 69% shooting from the field. He’s also notching 12.1 rebounds in 36,5 minutes per game during the postseason.
Apart from the solid numbers Ayton contributes to the Suns, his matchups against the best big men in the league haven’t gone unnoticed. Thinking about it, there’s no way Ayton could have survived the likes of Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic early in the postseason. But only did the center survived, he didn’t show any signs of fear against them. The big man even sealed a crucial win against the Los Angeles Clippers in a surprising fashion. Needless to say, Ayton has come out of these matchups a better player.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3Y00OcbvOs
Proof of Ayton’s impressive development is how he performed in his first Finals game. In 38 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks, the top pick in the 2018 Draft notched 22 points and 19 rebounds to help the Suns win Game 1. And with Phoenix getting Game 2 as well, it’s only a matter of time before his PSA 10 Prizm Silver rookie card jumps up from its current value of $399.
Ayton Is Expected To Bag A Big Contract Extension
Last offseason, notable players from the 2017 Draft got paid big time. Jayston Tatum was extended by the Boston Celtics with a five-year $195 million contract, De’Aaron Fox and Bam Adebayo both bagged an extension worth $163 million each. Ayton, as it seems, is on his way towards the same destination as well.
Thanks to a solid campaign during the regular season and an even more impressive playoff debut, Ayton has played his way to a hefty extension. As it stands, the big man is eligible for a four-year contract or longer that’s worth what Fox or Adebayo received. Heck even Chris Paul, the Point God himself, believes that the Suns’ center deserves to be paid that much.
Chris Paul says all the recognition Deandre Ayton is getting is well deserved.
"I couldn't be happier for another guy on our team … not even you, Book." 😂 pic.twitter.com/NxcLMwbOP0
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 7, 2021
If that happens, this will solidify Phoenix’s confidence in Ayton. In turn, this move will make the center more credible in the card market, and boost his stock in the process.
Ayton Is The Phoenix Suns’ Center Of The Future
When it comes to investing in NBA cards, the longevity of a player is one good factor to consider. It won’t do any good to hoard someone’s cards if he won’t have a good career in the years to come. With Ayton’s impending contract extension and his magnificent development, it looks like he’s going to have what a lot of players are chasing – a substantial role in a winning team.
With the Suns looking like playoff contenders in the coming years, Ayton will get to carve his own legacy in the Valley. In a league that places more emphasis on guards and wings, the center position will be his to own for a long time. His stock, in the process, will turn into a surefire investment option for card collectors, especially when the next season comes along.
