Luka Dončić's Trade to the Lakers Sparks Surge in His Basketball Card Market

• Posted: February 3, 2025, 7:21 pm
• in Sports Card News
• by bionic

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The NBA world was shocked when Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, instantly reshaping both the league and the sports card market. Once one of the most hyped young stars among collectors, Dončić’s trading card values had been on a downward trend—until now. With a move to one of the most iconic franchises in NBA history, his market has seen a rapid spike. But will it last?

The Rise and Fall of Luka Dončić’s Card Market​

During the pandemic-era sports card boom, Luka Dončić was one of the most sought-after players in the hobby. His rookie season in 2018-19 coincided with the explosive growth of the trading card industry, leading to record-breaking sales:

• In March 2021, his 2018 Panini National Treasures Logoman Auto (1/1) sold privately for $4.6 million, setting a record for a basketball card at the time.
• That same card later sold publicly in November 2022 for $3.1 million, reflecting a decline as the market cooled.
• According to CardLadder, 11 other Luka Dončić cards have sold for over $500,000 between 2020 and 2022.

However, as excitement around his potential plateaued, so did his card prices. The lack of an MVP award or an NBA championship kept his market from sustaining those high valuations.

Why Luka’s Card Market Declined—Until Now​

After a brief spike in June 2023—when Dončić led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals and finished third in MVP voting—his prices cooled again following a lopsided Finals loss to the Boston Celtics.

Entering the 2024-25 season, Dončić had been dealing with injuries, and the Mavericks were struggling. His card values remained stagnant, with no major catalyst on the horizon.

That all changed when news broke of his trade to the Lakers, igniting a wave of renewed interest.

How the Lakers Trade Impacted Luka’s Card Prices​

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most globally recognized franchises, and their star players often see an immediate boost in collectability. Dončić’s trade was no exception.

• His 2018 Panini Prizm Silver PSA 10 rookie card—a key indicator of his market—jumped from around $1,000 to nearly $1,900 within hours of the trade.
• While this represents a near 2x jump overnight, it is still far below its peak pandemic-era price of over $9,000.

Will Luka’s Card Market Continue to Climb?​

A Lakers jersey alone is enough to elevate a player’s card market, but long-term sustainability depends on performance and championships.

Factors That Could Keep Prices Rising:​

• L.A. Spotlight: The Lakers provide unmatched media exposure, making Dončić even more visible to fans and collectors.
• Title Contention: If Dončić leads the Lakers to a championship, his cards could reach new highs.
• MVP-Level Play: If he dominates in Los Angeles, the market could view him as a long-term investment.

Potential Risks to Watch:​

• Short-Term Speculation: Prices often spike immediately after a major trade, but they could settle back down if the Lakers don’t perform well.
• Health Concerns: Dončić’s recent injury history may create uncertainty about his long-term dominance.
• Lack of Immediate Success: If the Lakers struggle, hype around his move could fade quickly.

Final Thoughts​

Luka Dončić’s blockbuster trade to the Lakers has given his card market a much-needed boost, reviving interest among collectors. However, whether this surge turns into sustained long-term growth depends on his success in L.A..

For now, all eyes are on Dončić, as fans, investors, and collectors alike wait to see if he can bring another championship to the Lakers—and take his trading card values to new heights.