NBA Rookie Cards have always been a precious commodity amongst the trading card community, since they can skyrocket in their value. Depending on the athlete’s performance, the rookie cards can provide collectors with a great return on investment. But what cards are on a fast track to grow in 2025? That’s what we’re talking about today.
Buying a rookie card requires proper research and background knowledge for it to pay off in the long run. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 rookie cards with the best prospects. While we’re sure others will gain value as well, these are the ones to keep your eyes on. So, let’s take a look at which cards are worth watching in 2025.
Stephon Castle San Antonio Spurs 2024-25
If you’re looking for promising NBA rookies, look no further than Stephen Castle. Castle was the 4th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, already showcasing his popularity. But since then, he’s shown us on the court why he’s considered so valuable. He has averaged 11.7 points per game and dunked 27 times in the last season.
His success on the court and corresponding career statistics have made him a sought-after player in the NBA. This means the Stephon Castle rookie card is bound to go up in value as his career progresses. Stephon Castle is a solid option to buy now, or at least keep your eyes on for the future. There’s only 1 card available, so you better act now.
Victor Wembanyama San Antonio Spurs 2023-24
Victor Wembanyama has already garnered a significant amount of fame at just 21 years of age. The French professional basketball player is a teammate of Stephon Castle and has made a name for himself through his performance on the court. Wembanyama was the Rookie of the Year for the 23-24 season and has been in the spotlight ever since. He was also the No.1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Now, where do we see his rookie card’s value going from here? Only up. Victor Wembanyama is still at an early point in his career, and we believe there’s no way for him to go but up. As he learns the ins and outs of the NBA and gets settled with his team, we see the Victor Wembanyama rookie card appreciating exponentially — and there’s only 1 more card available. So make sure you don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime chance to get him while you can.
Karl-Anthony Towns Minnesota Timberwolves Autographed 2015-16
Next up, we’ve got Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Karl-Anthony Towns might not be a recent rookie, but we’ve seen his rookie card go up quite a bit since the start. Being Rookie of the Year 2015-16, he hit the ground running. His NBA career shot up after that as he was picked up by the Timberwolves, being the No.5 overall pick in the 2015-16 NBA Draft.
Towns has shown us what he can do on the court, so we’re instilling some confidence in him. Considering this is an autographed card going for cheap, we’d definitely recommend getting him now. However, if you’re not convinced to buy the Karl-Anthony Towns rookie card yet, just keep it in your cart for next time so you don’t miss out.
Tyler Herro Miami Heat Autographed 2019-20
2025 has been a good year for Tyler Herro so far, as the 25-year-old point guard has been picking up points left and right. Herro was drafted in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, where he has since made a name for himself. He’s been awarded the All-Rookie 2019-20 title as well as the All-Star title once.
One of the biggest reasons to get the Tyler Herro autographed rookie card is the price. Right now, it sits at $104.99 if you buy it from Fanatics with the code. While this might not be your first preference buy, it could definitely ramp up your collection and be a good trade later on. Since Tyler is only 25 years old, we do see his card value going up in the future.
Shaquille O’Neal Orlando Magic Autographed 1992-93
We don’t think this card needs an introduction, but we’ll explain why this is one of our highest recommendations. Shaquille O’Neal, the famous basketball player-turned-sports analyst, is one of the biggest names in the NBA. He had an illustrious career as part of the NBA and continued that fame into analysis and even television.
As of now, the 4-time NBA champ’s rookie card sits at $1,189.99. Looking at the fact that it is also signed by O’Neal himself makes its value go way up. This is one card you should really look to get if you have the budget. Not only will it boost your collection’s value, but it’s also a great way to show your enthusiasm for the player.
Paolo Banchero Orlando Magic Autographed 2022-23
Orlando Magic has also made the list with their rookie pick, Paolo Banchero. Banchero was the 1st overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and has averaged a whopping 25.9 points per game. At just 22 years of age, Banchero has been awarded the Rookie of the Year 2022-23 title and the All-Rookie title for the same year. This has significantly driven up his value as a player as well as his rookie card.
Paolo Banchero has been outperforming several other rookies and even some veteran NBA players. This instills confidence in his rookie card, gaining value over the years. His statistics are good, and he’s in one of the top teams in the NBA, meaning the Paolo Banchero rookie card is definitely one to watch in 2025. Don’t let it slip through your hands.
Evan Mobley Cleveland Cavaliers Autographed 2021-22
Evan Mobley is another rookie who has shown promise with his time on the court. Part of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mobley was drafted in 2021 as the No.3 overall pick. After joining the Cavaliers, he has shown himself to be a dominant force, scoring points whenever he gets an opportunity. He’s more known for his defensive capabilities, receiving the All-Defensive title twice in his 4 years in the NBA.
Should you get the Evan Mobley autographed rookie card, though? Our answer is yes. The athlete is still quite young and growing in his career. If he’s showing impressive career statistics right now, chances are things are only going to get better from here on. Buying him immediately isn’t necessary, but do watch the card’s value on the market.
Allen Iverson Philadelphia 76ers Autographed 1996-97
If you’re looking for older rookie cards that have done well, Allen Iverson is a pretty good pickup. Former point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, Iverson’s career was nothing short of impressive. With multiple accolades to his name, Allen Iverson had a decorated run during his time in the NBA. He is now part of the NBA Hall of Fame alongside other iconic players like LeBron James.
Allen Iverson’s rookie card is still a valuable purchase, even in 2025. At $249.99, we would classify buying this card as a steal. It’s an iconic card to have in your collection and can easily appreciate in value. Beyond materialistic value, you can also get it if you are a 76ers fan or even if you just want to appreciate his iconic NBA run.
Amen Thompson Houston Rockets Autographed 2023-24
Coming back to the present, we’ve got Amen Thompson, the defensive powerhouse for the Houston Rockets. Thompson was the 4th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and has done pretty well for himself. With an 8.2 rebounds per game average, he received the All-Rookie and All-Defensive titles in consecutive years.
The Amen Thompson rookie card has been doing really well on the market in 2025. Being almost sold out at a price much higher than other rookies really showcases his popularity. Keeping that in mind, the Amen Thompson card is priced at $379.99, so if your budget is in the low hundreds, we’d recommend keeping him in your cart for now. But don’t miss out on the incredible deal of getting this card early.
Jayson Tatum Boston Celtics Autographed 2017-18
Our final addition to the list is the Jayson Tatum autographed rookie card from 2017-18. Tatum is coming off a hot streak as the Celtics won the 2024 NBA Championship. But that’s not the only reason he’s popular right now. He has averaged 26.8 points per game, which makes him a highly desirable player in the NBA. Aside from that, he’s been named an All-Star 6 times in his career.
The one thing to keep in mind before buying this Jayson Tatum card is that it is going for an upward of $1499.99 right now due to the championship win — and there’s only 1 left. We’d recommend watching the market till the price comes down a bit before making a move on this autographed rookie card. But if you’re impatient like us, get it before it sells out.
Operation Sports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission.
