JUMPING FOR JOKER: Nikola Jokic cards soaring ahead of 2025-26 NBA season

Playing fantasy basketball? Here’s hoping you snagged today’s most impactful player: Nikola Jokic.

“The Joker,” all 6-foot-10, 285 pounds of him, has become an unstoppable force since arriving from Serbia to join the Denver Nuggets in 2015. All he’s done is pick apart opposing defenses with his unique scoring and passing, while also demolishing opposing offenses with his disruptive shot-blocking and power rebounding.

Jokic won the NBA MVP Award in 2021, 2022 and 2024. He also earned MVP honors in the 2023 NBA Finals by leading Denver past the Miami Heat by averaging 30.2 points, 14 rebounds and 7.2 assists. By 2024-25, Jokic was reaching even higher levels, averaging a triple-double for the season: 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists. 

All along, Jokic has been attracting collector attention. Consider this sampling of prices paid in recent eBay auctions:

• $23,100 on 71 bids for a 2024-25 Panini Revolution Kaboom! vertical Gold card marked #5/10 and graded PSA 9.

Related Content:

Topps bringing popular Rookie Debut Patch, new Logoman to Topps Basketball

Collectors thrilled with return of Topps Basketball, what they want to see

Jordan/LeBron Logoman goes for $10M to investment group with record card

• $22,322 on 40 bids for an autographed 2015-16 Panini Flawless Emerald card marked #5/5 and graded BGS 9.

• $14,200 on 53 bids for a 2023-24 Panini Crown Royale Kaboom! Gold card marked #1/10 and graded PSA 7. An ungraded specimen of the same card (marked #4/10) sold for $11,600 on 46 bids.

• $8,522 on 40 bids for a 2015-16 Panini Immaculate signed patch card marked #32/99 and graded BGS 9.

With Topps taking over the NBA license and the return of Topps Basketball, the value of Jokic cards should continue to soar.

And as usual, basketball cards continue to hold their own in recent eBay auctions, as shown by our latest monthly Top 10 chart.

1. $70,100 on 51 bids: 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 4)

2. $56,999 on 2 bids: 1984 Star Michael Jordan Court Kings (BGS 9.5)

3. $50,000 on 1 bid: 2017 Bowman Chrome Aaron Judge Superfractor, #1/1 (BGS 9.5)

4. $43,588 on 50 bids: 2024-25 Panini Flawless Luka Doncic Emerald, #1/5, auto patch (ungraded)

5. $41,600 on 71 bids: 2004-05 Panini Sports Lionel Messi Mega Cracks La Liga (BGS 9)

6. $39,726 on 54 bids: 2009-10 Topps Chrome Stephen Curry, #655/999 (PSA 10)

7. $37,105 on 59 bids: 2004-05 Panini Sports Lionel Messi Mega Cracks Barca Campeon  (PSA 10)

8. $36,115 on 52 bids: 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan (BGS 9.5)

9. $35,100 on 45 bids: 1997-98 Fleer Metal Universe Allen Iverson, edition of 50 (PSA 8.5)

10. $33,900 on 80 bids: 2024-25 Panini Donruss Optic LeBron James Gold Vinyl (PSA 10)

• $30,001 on 58 bids: 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Noble Nameplates, #1/25, auto patch (BGS 9)

• $28,850 on 21 bids: 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson (BGS 6)

• $28,690 on 67 bids: 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 1)

• $26,600 on 49 bids: 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Rookie Ticket, auto (BGS 8.5, auto 10)

• $25,555 on 5 bids: 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan (PSA 9)

• $25,105 on 48 bids: 2018 Topps Transcendent Shohei Ohtani Emerald, #3/3, auto (PSA 10)

• $25,100 on 39 bids: 2018-19 Panini Soccer Kaboom! Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona (PSA 10)

• $24,600 on 50 bids: 1984-85 Star Michael Jordan (PSA 4)

• $24,000 on 44 bids: 2018 Bowman Chrome Shohei Ohtani Green Refractor, #88/99, auto (BGS 9.5, auto 10)

• $23,900 on 46 bids: 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan (PSA 9)