News

The NBA world was stunned when Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that immediately sent shockwaves through the trading card market. Once one of the hottest names in sports cards, Dončić’s values had cooled in recent years, but this blockbuster deal has reignited interest. The question now is: Where do his card prices go from here?

The Rise of Luka Dončić’s Card Market

Dončić was a fan favorite among collectors during the pandemic-era sports card boom. After his NBA debut in 2018-19, his meteoric rise as one of the league’s most dynamic young stars led to skyrocketing card values.

• In March 2021, his one-of-a-kind 2018 Panini National Treasures Logoman Auto card 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.
• According to CardLadder, at least 11 other Luka Dončić cards have sold for over $500,000 between 2020 and 2022.

However, as the overall card market cooled, so did Luka’s prices. His lack of MVP awards or an NBA championship kept his long-term hype from sustaining, causing many of his key rookie cards to decline significantly from their peak values.

Dončić’s Card Market Decline—Until Now

The downturn in Luka’s card values mirrored his team’s performance. While he briefly saw an uptick in June 2023 after leading the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals and finishing third in MVP voting, the excitement faded after the Boston Celtics dominated Dallas in the Finals.

Entering the 2024-25 season, the Mavericks were struggling around .500, and Dončić was dealing with injuries that sidelined him since Christmas Day. This set the stage for what many expected to be a quiet year for his trading card market—until everything changed with the shocking trade to Los Angeles.

How the Lakers Trade Has Spiked Luka’s Card Prices

Late on Saturday night, the blockbuster deal sent Dončić to one of the most popular franchises in NBA history, immediately sparking a buying frenzy for his cards.

• His 2018 Panini Prizm Silver PSA 10 rookie card—one of his most recognizable and widely collected rookies—jumped from around $1,000 before the trade to roughly $1,900 within hours of the news breaking.
• While that nearly doubled in value overnight, it’s still far below its pandemic-era peak of over $9,000.

What’s Next for Luka’s Cards?

Luka Dončić’s move to Los Angeles brings him into the brightest media spotlight in the NBA. The Lakers are a brand unlike any other, with global reach and an extensive collector base. Historically, stars who join the Lakers see long-term gains in their card values, especially if they win a championship.

Short-Term & Long-Term Outlook

• Short-Term: Luka’s prices will likely remain elevated as excitement around the trade builds, but they could experience volatility depending on his performance and how well the Lakers gel with their new superstar.
• Long-Term: If Dončić leads the Lakers to a title and wins an MVP, his cards could surge to new highs, perhaps even rivaling their pandemic-era peaks. If he fails to deliver, the spike could fade, similar to past cycles.

Final Thoughts

The Luka Dončić trade to the Lakers has injected new life into his trading card market, with values surging practically overnight. While his cards have a long way to go to return to their all-time highs, this move puts him in prime position for long-term value appreciation—if he can bring a championship to L.A..

For now, collectors and investors alike will be watching closely, as Dončić’s next chapter with the Lakers unfolds on the court—and in the hobby.