Top 5 Most Valuable Brooklyn Nets Basketball Cards of All Time
The Brooklyn Nets are one of the most popular teams in the NBA today. But the franchise has a long and storied history going back to its days as the New Jersey Nets. Nets basketball cards have been collected by fans for decades.
While the Nets have yet to win an NBA championship, they've had some legendary players suit up for them over the years. Those legends have been immortalized on some incredibly valuable basketball cards.
Let's take a look at the 5 most expensive Brooklyn Nets basketball cards of all time. We'll countdown from #5 to the undisputed king of Nets cardboard.
#5 - 1984-85 Star Julius Erving - $8,000+
Kicking off the list is a 1984-85 Star card featuring the legendary Julius "Dr. J" Erving. Star was a major card brand back in the 1980s as the sports card hobby was booming.
This card has one of the most iconic basketball photos ever with Erving soaring through the air for a monster dunk. It perfectly captures the athleticism and dominance of Dr. J during his incredible career.
While Erving is best known for his days with the Philadelphia 76ers, he spent his final NBA season with the Nets. He averaged a solid 16.8 points at age 35 before retiring.
High-grade copies of Erving's '84-85 Star card have sold for north of $8k at auction. Considering it's not his mainstream rookie, that's quite impressive. This is easily one of the most sought-after Nets cards from their New Jersey era.
#4 - 1996-97 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant RC - $15,000
Here's a card that every '90s basketball card collector wishes they would've bought up and stashed away. The 1996-97 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant rookie card now books for over $15k in PSA 10 condition.
Long before he became the "Black Mamba" with the Lakers, an 18-year old rookie Kobe was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets. He was immediately traded to the Lakers for Vlade Divac.
But because Panini didn't have an NBA license at the time, Kobe's rookies can be found in sets like '96-97 Topps Chrome. It's arguably his most iconic rookie card today.
Considering Kobe's rookie cards have skyrocketed since his tragic passing in 2020, this gem will likely only go up in value. It's the undisputed top Nets card from the 1990s.
#3 - 2004 Exquisite Collection Vince Carter Jersey/Auto - $20,000
The 2004 Exquisite Collection basketball cards ushered in a new era of ultra premium cards loaded with memorabilia and autographs. One of the main hits in Exquisite that year were the player-worn jersey & autograph combos.
A gem mint version of the Vince Carter jersey/auto from '04 Exquisite sold for a whopping $20,000 at auction in 2021.
Vinsanity was still putting up electrifying highlights during his run with the Nets in the early 2000s. Exquisite perfectly captured that with a patch of Carter's Nets jersey and on-card signature.
It's going to be tough to ever top this card as the premier Vince Carter collectible. Let's see if any other modern Nets cards can break into the top two.
#2 - 1986-87 Fleer Basketball Michael Jordan Sticker RC - $45,000
Waaaay back before Jordan won all those rings with the Bulls, he was just a rookie trying to make a name in the NBA. One of MJ's true rookie cards actually comes from a Fleer sticker insert set in 1986-87.
There are two versions of the sticker - one with Jordan by himself, and one with Larry Bird guarding him. The solo MJ sticker is more valuable and a PSA 10 gem sold for a staggering $45k in 2022.
Jordan and the Bulls faced off against the Nets in the postseason three times from 1989 to 1998. Some of MJ's most iconic moments came against the Nets.
While not technically a Nets card, this rare Jordan rookie does have a loose Nets tie-in based on their playoff clashes. It's a legendary card from the Junk Wax era at a shocking price point.
#1 - 1969-70 Topps Lew Alcindor RC - $125,000+
Sitting firmly atop the list is none other than the legendary 1969-70 Topps Lew Alcindor rookie card. High-grade copies have sold for over $100k at auction.
Long before changing his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Alcindor joined the NBA with huge expectations. He immediately delivered by winning Rookie of the Year and leading the league in scoring average.
The '69-70 Topps basketball set came out just as Alcindor was taking the league by storm as a rookie. His rookie card has always been one of the hobby's most iconic cards.
Abdul-Jabbar also spent time with the Nets later in his career. So this card has a direct tie-in to the franchise's history in both New York and New Jersey.
It's the oldest and most valuable basketball card associated with the Nets franchise. Nothing else comes close in terms of money spent by collectors to own this legendary rookie card.
And there you have it - a look back at the five most valuable basketball cards in Brooklyn Nets franchise history. Let's see if any Nets from their current championship-contending squad can crack this list many years down the road. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden all have potential for huge post-career cardboard values.