New Places, Same Faces
Tyger Allen
Lots of NBA stars packed their bags this offseason to begin a new chapter in their careers. We'll take you through some of those changes and what collectors might be looking for when new products hit the shelves.
New Places, Same Faces
Originally published September 30, 2026. This article reflects the teams and storylines at that time.
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LeBron James Philadelphia 76ers
LeBron James is in a category of his own when it comes to veteran basketball cards. His move to Philadelphia for his 24th NBA season immediately created a new chapter for one of the most collected players in the hobby.
His most desirable cards remain his early Chrome rookies, autographs and other low-population cards.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Miami Heat After 13 seasons in Milwaukee, two MVP awards and an NBA championship, his move to Miami created an entirely new team-specific collecting opportunity. Collectors are likely to place the most attention on low-numbered Heat cards, autographs and the first major cards featuring him in Miami.
Kawhi Leonard Toronto Raptors
Kawhi Leonard's return to Toronto creates one of the most interesting veteran-card situations of the offseason. He returns to the franchise where he won his second championship and the Finals MVP in 2019 after his departure seven years ago.
Kawhi's Toronto cards already have a strong connection to one of the defining moments of his career, so new Raptors cards give collectors another version of that story.
Jaylen Brown Philadelphia 76ers
Jaylen Brown's move to Philadelphia is particularly interesting because he isn't just changing teams, he's joining a roster that also features LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Brown arrived in Philadelphia after 10 seasons in Boston, six conference finals appearances and the 2024 Finals MVP award.
Brown's card market has historically been driven more by his performance in big moments. The move to Philadelphia potentially changes that dynamic by putting him on one of the league's most heavily watched rosters, regardless of their success on the court.
Ja Morant Portland Trail Blazers Ja Morant's move to Portland gives one of the hobby's most recognizable young veterans a completely different collecting identity. Morant spent his first seven NBA seasons in Memphis, where he won Rookie of the Year, became a two-time All-Star and earned All-NBA honors. He now gets a fresh start with Portland, which could be exactly what he needs to return to his award-winning performances.
Klay Thompson Miami Heat
Klay Thompson's move to Miami gives collectors another veteran whose team identity is changing after years of being synonymous with one franchise. After spending the majority of his career with Golden State (and a few years in Dallas), Thompson is now entering a new phase with the Heat.
His card market is different from someone like LeBron or Giannis. His most historically important cards will continue to be his 2012-13 rookies and rare Golden State-era cards. The Miami angle could create additional interest around new cards, especially if Thompson becomes a meaningful part of Miami's roster.
DeMar DeRozan Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets added DeRozan during an offseason that saw significant movement around the league, so this might have flown under the radar for some basketball fans.
His rookie cards aren't exactly expensive, but his 17-year career gives collectors a catalog of cards spanning across his seasons in Toronto, San Antonio, Chicago and Sacramento. A successful Denver run could create some demand for first-year Nuggets cards and cards showing him alongside Nikola Jokić, while his existing rookie and low-numbered cards remain the core of his market.
