Just a few years ago, trading cards in sports seemed like a distant memory. However, during the pandemic, cards made a huge comeback.
During 2020 and 2021, there wasn’t much for people to do while the world was mostly shut down, making acquiring and unpacking cards a very popular activity.
Why Did Trading Cards Rise in Popularity?
People clearly had extra time and disposable income as they were stuck inside and used that time and money to relive their youth – some chased their old hobbies, like card collecting, while others got into it for the first time.
With the world of social media the way it is now, the internet obviously played its role with collectors appearing on Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms to open and show off their latest cards.
Cards are also more accessible than ever, making them easy to acquire, for collecting, showing off online, or even for investments.
Although cards have seen their market cool since 2021, they still have a much higher value than before the pandemic, and the world of professional sports, especially the NBA, is finding new ways to market them.
What Changes Has the NBA Made to Trading Cards?
The NBA, which always seems ahead of the game when it comes to trends compared to the other American professional sports, has made a significant change to the cards regarding rookies.
Topps and the NBA will not be making cards with NBA rookies wearing a “Debut Patch” when a player makes their on-court debut.
BREAKING: Beginning this season, all NBA rookies will wear a Debut Patch on their jersey.
After a player makes their on-court debut, the patch will be removed from their jersey and placed into a 1-of-1 autographed trading card.
These cards will then be randomly inserted into… pic.twitter.com/lJMMjqLNXT
— Topps (@Topps) October 15, 2025
Afterward, these patches will be removed from their jerseys, autographed, and turned into one-of-a-kind autographed trading cards. The cards will then be packaged and randomly inserted into packs.
Special patches will also be given to the MVP, the Rookie of the Year, and the Defensive Player of the Year, and they will be turned into cards.
That means not only will fans have the opportunity to get the patch and autograph from rookies like No. 1 Overall pick Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper, who was selected second, and the third-overall selection, V.J. Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers, but they will also have the chance at the patch and autograph of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder (MVP), Harper’s new teammate, Stephon Castle (Rookie of the Year), and Cleveland Cavaliers’ big man Evan Mobley (Defensive Player of the Year).
These cards will be released in 2026.
