10 Basketball Players Heating Up the NBA Jersey Market

W hat would you give to be able to go back in time and get a Michael Jordan Bulls game-worn rookie jersey in 1984? Or what about a LeBron James Cavaliers jersey from 2003? Back then, nobody knew that those men would become the transcendent superstars who defined their eras of basketball.

Of course, there’s no definitive way to know who among young active NBA players could become the next contenders for GOAT (Greatest of All Time) status. But there are a crop of players who have separated themselves as stars and who could join the conversation in the coming years. Here are 10 players whose jerseys are incredible investments right now:

Sports Week

The most promising prospect since LeBron James lived up to the hype in his first season in San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama was named Rookie of the Year in May 2024, and that will certainly be just the first of many awards he’ll win during his career. More than any other young NBA player, Wemby has the potential to take over the league.

During the playoffs, Anthony Edwards drew comparisons to Michael Jordan not only because of his play, but also because of his passion for the game. And apparently, even MJ himself agreed that Edwards played like him. A charismatic force, Edwards has the potential to be one of those stars that transcends the sport.

Already a perennial jersey best-seller, Jayson Tatum is on the brink of building his legacy with his first NBA championship. The Celtics are among the most passionate fanbase in the league, and there’s no doubt that jerseys from Tatum’s first championship season will become valuable collector’s items as his career progresses.

Perhaps the most skilled offensive player in the NBA today, Luka Doncic is playing in his first NBA Finals this season. His profile has also risen because of his on-court partnership with perennial jersey best-seller and All-Star Kyrie Irving. It would be a surprise if Doncic didn’t finish his career with at least one ring and one MVP award.

The most surprising team in the NBA this season were the Oklahoma City Thunder, who built off last year’s run to the play-in tournament to become the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s development into an MVP contender was a big reason why. He’ll be the face of one of the best young teams in the NBA for years to come.

Although the 76ers’ season ended with another disappointing playoff exit, the future is still bright in Philadelphia. Tyrese Maxey is electric on the court and ebullient off of it, the kind of player who could become as much a commercial star as a sports star. He’s in line to sign a max contract this summer.

The other reason for the Thunder’s recent resurgence? Chet Holmgren, the floor-stretching, shot-blocking, play-through-anything center. After missing what would have been his rookie year last season, he emerged as an immediate star this year and would have been a shoo-in for MVP if not for the No. 1 player on this list.

When Jalen Brunson joined the Knicks in 2022, they had made the playoffs in just one of the past nine seasons. Now, for the past two years, Brunson has helped the Knicks reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Bing Bong, a new King of New York is being crowned.

This postseason should have been the biggest moment of Ty Haliburton’s career, but a nagging hamstring injury kept him off the court and hampered the Pacers’ championship chances. Nonetheless, Haliburton has engineered an incredible turnaround in Indiana, the birthplace of basketball.

The latest member of Duke’s Brotherhood to transition seamlessly to the NBA, Paolo Banchero got his first taste of the playoffs this season. Banchero has the potential to be the biggest star for the Magic since the days when Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal jerseys flew off shelves around the state – and around the country.