Top 5 Most Valuable Los Angeles Clippers Basketball Cards of All Time

The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the newer teams in the NBA, having originally started as the Buffalo Braves in 1970 before moving to San Diego in 1978 and finally landing in LA in 1984. Despite not having the richest history, Clippers cards can still carry tremendous value, especially for key star players throughout franchise history.

Let's count down the top 5 most valuable Los Angeles Clippers basketball cards of all time:

1. Blake Griffin 2009-10 National Treasures Colossal Logoman Patch Autograph

• This card features a massive patch piece containing lettering that spells out "CLIPPERS" from a Blake Griffin jersey, along with his on-card autograph
• It's numbered 1/1, making it a true one-of-a-kind collectible
• Part of the highly coveted 2009-10 National Treasures basketball card set
• Sold for an incredible $10,000 at auction in 2012

Blake Griffin was the #1 overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft and won Rookie of the Year for the Clippers in the 2010-11 season. His incredible dunking ability made him an instant fan favorite and must-watch player.

This super premium "logoman" patch card containing part of his actual rookie year jersey is about as cool as a Griffin collectible can get. The fact it's the only one like it puts it toward the top of the list.

2. Chauncey Billups 1997-98 Topps Chrome Refractor Rookie

• One of Chauncey Billups' two key rookie cards along with 1997-98 Skybox E-X2001
• This refractor version of his 1997-98 Topps Chrome card is very scarce
• Graded BGS 9 Mint condition copies have sold for over $5,000
• Billups joined the Clippers in 2011 as a top veteran point guard

After bouncing around early in his career, Billups became a 5-time NBA All-Star and NBA Finals MVP with the Detroit Pistons in the 2000s. His rookie cards remain in high demand, especially this flashy Topps Chrome Refractor insert.

The refractor coating gives the card a very cool rainbow effect. Given Billups' stellar career and induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, this sleek refractor rookie should continue to appreciate in value.

3. Danny Manning 1990-91 Upper Deck SP1 Rookie

• Manning was the #1 pick in the 1988 NBA draft for the Clippers
• This specially packaged SP1 card from Upper Deck marked one of the first "chase" rookie inserts
• PSA 10 Gem Mint copies have auctioned for well over $2,000
• Manning was a 2-time All-Star for the Clippers before injuries derailed his career

If not for knee problems, Danny Manning likely would have become one of the all-time great power forwards. Instead, he became more of an NBA journeyman later in his career.

But Manning's rookie cards remain popular, especially this iconic 1990-91 Upper Deck SP1 version. Its unique foil design and limited distribution make it a very challenging card to find in perfect condition.

4. Lamond Murray 1994-95 Finest Refractor Rookie

• Murray was drafted 7th overall by the Clippers in 1994
• This refractor insert from 1994-95 Finest is stunning with its rainbow colors
• PSA 10 graded copies have sold for over $1,500 at auction
• Murray averaged 15.4 points per game over 4 seasons with the Clippers

Lamond Murray cards are definitely more niche compared to bigger Clippers stars. However, he was still a top draft pick who posted respectable numbers during his tenure in LA.

The vivid rainbow colors on this Finest refractor rookie card are beautiful. It's one of his two key rookies along with 1994-95 Upper Deck SP. Finding a flawless copy is very difficult, sending values for PSA 10s sky high.

5. Loy Vaught 1990-91 Hoops No. 331 Rookie

• Vaught spent his first 5 seasons with the Clippers after getting drafted 13th overall in 1990
• This Hoops No. 331 rookie card has traded hands for $1,000+ in high grade
• The card's unique number on front corresponds with Vaught's draft position
• Vaught averaged 14.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game during his best season with LA

Loy Vaught isn't a big name like other players on this list. However, he was a productive member of the Clippers in the early 1990s after coming over in the Danny Manning trade with Atlanta.

His 1990-91 Hoops rookie highlights both Vaught and the Clippers, featuring a cool draft number promotion on the front. It's his most important rookie card and a rare piece of early 1990s Clippers history.

There you have it - the top 5 most valuable Clippers basketball cards ever produced! While the Clippers may lack some of the historical prestige of other franchises, there are still many amazing collectible cards out there for key Los Angeles stars like Griffin, Billups, and Manning. Finding any of these cards in perfect condition can command very high premiums on the secondary auction market. Happy hunting Clipper collectors!