Fan Favorites: Collecting Potential First-Time NBA All-Stars

Some say the NBA season doesn’t start until after the NFL playoffs end. Try telling that to folks in Oklahoma City or San Antonio .

Whether you’re a diehard hoop head, or simply a recovering Lions fan shifting your attention from the gridiron to the hardwood, the NBA season is nearly halfway over—and believe it or not, that means All-Star Weekend is right around the corner.

The Association is a league of stars, and having the coveted All-Star tag on a player’s resume means even more in the days of heated Internet debates. Even with the potential for injury replacements and US vs. World team balancing , earning an All-Star selection remains no joke—especially for first-timers trying to overcome the odds by replacing veteran stars like former teammates Kevin Durant and James Harden . It also means that those that are willing to take a chance on a rising star’s transformation into a bonafide star might stand to profit. (If only it was that easy.)

With NBA All-Star voting officially ending today , Mantel used trading card marketplace Alt’s data to see how a career-first All-Star nod might impact the value of rookie cards for some of the league’s bright young stars.

Eastern Conference:

• Jalen Johnson – Atlanta Hawks – $322 : –Less than a week ago, the Hawks kicked off #NBATradeDeadline season by moving on from former first round pick—and four-time All Star— Trae Young . While the high-scoring point guard certainly has his flaws, many were shocked to see Atlanta pull the trigger. Those that have been paying attention to forward Jalen Johnson were less surprised. After battling a shoulder injury that prematurely ended his 2024-25 campaign, Johnson has finally arrived, averaging nearly 24 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. So too has his PSA 10 Silver Prizm rookie card, which has risen by a whopping 107.5% since the start of the season, selling for an average of $322 on Alt’s marketplace.

• Jalen Duren – Detroit Pistons – $136 : Many touted the Eastern Conference as up for the taking ahead of tipoff in October. Now, it’s clear that “Deeeeetroiiiit baaaaasketballll” is officially back, making it no surprise that the team’s 22-year-old anchor is in high demand; a PSA 10 of his Silver Prizm rookie card has gone for an average of $136 over the past three months, good for a nearly 75% increase. Those that have followed his hype train since high school are feasting.

• Norman Powell, Miami Heat – $53 :Out to prove that last season was no fluke, Powell is off to a hot start for the Heat. With Tyler Herro , the team’s former offensive leader, playing in just 23% of the team’s games this season, Powell has been the Heat’s #1 option, and he’s averaging career highs across the board: 23.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. At 32, can he become one of the league’s oldest first-time All-Stars? The Hobby doesn’t seem to think he will—or that it would significantly alter his already impressive career—as a PSA 10 of his Silver Prizm rookie card from the 2015-16 season can be had for an average of $53 on Alt, down just over 4% since the start of the season.

Western Conference:

• Austin Reaves – LA Lakers – $355 : Another Lakers player making the All-Star Game? Some guys have all the luck. Reaves is officially a household name, averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1 steal per game. Not bad for the undrafted guard and Arkansas native. After a number of consecutive breakout campaigns, Reaves has helped Luka carry the torch for the Lakers this season, and might just earn himself an All-Star bid—so is it any surprise that a PSA 10 of his Silver Prizm RC commands north of $350? Even still, it’s only up a hair under 50% since the start of the season, meaning a whole lot of folks had gains priced in.

• Deni Avdija – Portland Trail Blazers – $253 –Some might think that getting drafted by the Wizards would nix any hope of future stardom (sorry, 'Zards fans), but the Blazers’ forward has defied the odds, averaging a few boards and assists shy of a triple double in his sixth season. Serving as the team’s #1 option, Avdija has a Blazers squad that has defied early season drama sitting just two games under .500, no small feat…but will it be enough to convince voters to lift the small market hero into the national spotlight? The Hobby certainly thinks so, sending his PSA 10 Silver Prizm RC up by 123% on Alt since the start of the season.

• Jamal Murray – Denver Nuggets – $126 : The longtime Nugs guard, who helped the team hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2023, might be the most intriguing player on this list. He’s averaging 25.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, representing both a rare fast start and career highs across the board—but Joker’s sidekick will be just over a week shy of his 29th birthday by the time the 2026 All-Star Game rolls around. With his rookie cards approaching a decade off the shelves, they’re slightly harder to come by than others on this list, albeit not exactly scarce. Still, they’re up 27% on Alt since the start of the season.

As NBA All-Star voting finishes up, let us know who’s missing from this list, and who stands to see the greatest jump in value when the All-Star roster is announced in February. In the meantime, make sure to show off your NBA rookie cards on Mantel.