Trae Young RC cards, smart investment?

[TSonn]

I'm holding all the Trae I pulled and looking for deals on less popular cards - but I wouldn't go spend $2k on a psa 10 prizm silver right now.

Trae put up monster numbers and great highlights all year - it's really up to the Hawks team to gel and improve (and stay healthy/available) for his cards to make a jump.

As a Magic fan I'm jealous of the Hawks roster and current assets, as I think they could be a crazy good team in 2-5 years if their players make improvements (not hit their ceilings, but just become solid NBA guys). Hunter doesn't have to be Kawhi, but maybe Kawhi-lite defense? Reddish doesn't have to become Paul George, but maybe a consistent 18ppg guy? Collins is already really good - and we'll see how Capela fits in to give them a defensive presence and a guy for Trae to toss lobs to from anywhere on the court.

And kinda the best case scenario - if Reddish becomes a star, I think the team will still be Trae's team. Just like the Warriors are still Steph's team even when Klay was clearly another star.

[Jopeal]

Originally Posted by GeechQuest

Don't disagree with this. I don't think Trae is the future of the league or anything, but Hobby good and basketball good aren't necessarily always equal.

There are some Trae cards I would like just because he's a fun player, but they haven't popped up for sale since I've been searching. I'm not just some random Trae card hater, he's one of my few searches on eBay.

Tangent but it applies to Trae (and really all players):

Offensive stats are up all over the league, and as such cards have appreciated to match performance. When the performance becomes common place and multiple players are hitting these statistical metrics, how would we differentiate said players. Case in point, RW when he averaged a triple-double had his cards shoot the moon. Everybody wanted in on history. When he averaged it the second time the feat wasn't as impressive. Eventually these stats have to mean something. Trae at 30/10 is an amazing achievement individually, but honestly what more can he do? Is 32/11 really that much more impressive? When will Trae's numbers just become commonplace and not matter? Eventually there's a tipping point where every player becomes the same and there's no real separation statistically.

For sure stats are up. At a certain point, team success is going to be the measure that separates different high output players and at each age there will be certain team milestones that speculators/investors/collectors will be looking for. Trae still has 4+ years before he needs to be on a finals contender either way. Whether people think a team can achieve this with him is where the long-term speculating comes in.
I do and see him somewhere between Steph & a higher-scoring Steve Nash with the right surroundings, whether on the Hawks or another team.

If Trae only maintains his individual stats and the Hawks are able add pieces and become a .550-.600 team next year, I think there will be little discrepancy between him and Luka. There's huge potential in this alone because of their current price differences.

If his team continues to miss the postseason for the next few years that's a different story although Devin Booker seems to be selling really well considering he's two years older.

[PacklineD]

Luka's RCs did not go up during the playoffs, or based on his amazing playoff performances really. In fact, from the start of Game 1 to the day the series ended the average auction price of Prizm bass 10s most definitely dropped. While Luka was shredding the Clippers and gaining steam as a household name in America, the card market was deciding that 2k was still a little steep to be paying for bass 10s. Did prices drop due to Luka's performance or disappointment in how the playoffs went for him or the Mavs? Most certainly not imho.

Not trying to pick a nit at all with the OP really, more just pointing out that these market dynamics, and therefore who is "undervalued" , have been based on a lot more than just on court performance recently. Now that just about every young above average player in the league has experienced some kind of crazy run up on bass RCs, figuring out who is "undervalued" will be much more of a challenge then it has been the past 6 months.

[cboog3105]

i feel like thats because how much higher can luka go when hes already pretty much the highest priced young player

[Josie27]

Originally Posted by gmoney000

I really don't understand the hate for Trae on here... in his second season the guys doing what it took Curry 3-4 years to do. GSW wasn't good until 3-4 years after Curry arrived.

I think Trae will have the better career, and eventually win Championships in ATL. I love the way they're building their team.

At some point in his career he will be traded or choose to enter the FA market like most stars on mediocre teams (basically any good player the Pacers ever get a hold of ) Trae is a perfect candidate to help a contender get over the hump.

As far as investing goes. It all depends on how far out you are looking. Short term, who knows. Long term....if you think this industry is not near it's peak then probably yes but that's up to you.

Personally I am not a long term card investor. But I own over 300 E'twaun Moore cards so take what I say with a big grain of salt (he was my boy at Purdue, I never expected him to have a legit NBA career like he has put together).

[thefranchise3]

Trae is definitely still a little undervalued, but the way the Hawks are building the team is not conducive to any success. In the history of the NBA it's been proven that a player under 6'3 typically cannot be the best player on a championship team. You'll have to go back to the Pistons for that. They badly need a big wing player that can also handle the ball and be a play-maker.

Before you bring up Curry, Steph is 6'3 in shoes. He also has never won the Finals MVP though you can argue he should have in 2014-15.

[Jopeal]

Originally Posted by thefranchise3

Trae is definitely still a little undervalued, but the way the Hawks are building the team is not conducive to any success. In the history of the NBA it's been proven that a player under 6'3 typically cannot be the best player on a championship team. You'll have to go back to the Pistons for that. They badly need a big wing player that can also handle the ball and be a play-maker.

Before you bring up Curry, Steph is 6'3 in shoes. He also has never won the Finals MVP though you can argue he should have in 2014-15.

Is the metric MVP, Finals MVP or both? Because a player doing both is rarified territory.

Tony Parker won Finals MVP in 2007.

Steve Nash is shorter than Trae. AI is 6'0 max.

[Ericc5Bears]

Trae, John Collins, and Capela is legitimately one of the best young trios in the NBA + you gotta think at least 1-2 of the Reddish, Huerter, Hunter, or their lottery pick this year turn into above-average starters as well. I really think the Hawks are being slept on especially since they're in the east where you only need like 35-38 wins for the 8 seed.

[ninjacookies]

I get the gripes about his d, because his defense is truly offensive.

But I don't get why it has to be championship or bust.

To my knowledge, both G and Luka are also removed of a ring.

Does the argument then become playoff or bust?

Because dudes like Lillard and Harden would take exception to that.

The truth lies somewhere in between. I'd say individual performance holds precedence, and dudes like Lonnie Walker and Booker are a testament to this.

Would I rather drop big coin on those guys when Trae's already earned and all star nod and put up better numbers than either through age 20? Probably not.

And as someone else noted, his game is very aesthetic and hobby friendly. He's got that Iverson street ball flash. He is anything but Plain Jane.

[thefranchise3]

Originally Posted by Jopeal

Is the metric MVP, Finals MVP or both? Because a player doing both is rarified territory.

Tony Parker won Finals MVP in 2007.

Steve Nash is shorter than Trae. AI is 6'0 max.

All I was saying is IMO he can’t be the best player on a team that wins a title based on the fact he’s under 6’3. It’s more of a criticism on how the Hawks have built around him. Reminds me of the Bulls with Rose where literally 1 person has to do everything.

Nash’s teams never made the finals and AI only went to one. If you look at the way the league is trending, you want guys 6’6 and above handling the ball and shoot over the defense.

I do think Trae will win a MVP at some point in his career because I can see him hitting 40 PPG with 10 AST in a season. However history has proven little guards can’t lead a team to a title. Perhaps he can change that, but the Hawks will need another ball handler to hell him out.

[deemsterz33]

Optic Holos are a great value imo

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by Ericc5Bears

Trae, John Collins, and Capela is legitimately one of the best young trios in the NBA + you gotta think at least 1-2 of the Reddish, Huerter, Hunter, or their lottery pick this year turn into above-average starters as well. I really think the Hawks are being slept on especially since they're in the east where you only need like 35-38 wins for the 8 seed.

I don't see how anyone could have held high expectations for that team last year. It was a squad of infants lead by 10 time perennial gradfather/fossil VC.


Could the Hawks end up being the yesteryear Suns of the East for the foreseeable future? Possibly. I honestly don't think the franchise is nearly as dysfunctional. This was the same team that was a legit EC contender when Milsap and Horf were still gettin' it and Teague knew how to basketball.

Then they tore everything down and rebuilt from scratch. The circle of life.

It's the eastern conference. They'll be in the playoffs sooner than later. Will it lead to much? Maybe not. But I'd legit pay to watch this team over a bunch of NBA franchises.

[Jeff1970Red]

Originally Posted by thefranchise3

All I was saying is IMO he can’t be the best player on a team that wins a title based on the fact he’s under 6’3. It’s more of a criticism on how the Hawks have built around him. Reminds me of the Bulls with Rose where literally 1 person has to do everything.

Nash’s teams never made the finals and AI only went to one. If you look at the way the league is trending, you want guys 6’6 and above handling the ball and shoot over the defense.

I do think Trae will win a MVP at some point in his career because I can see him hitting 40 PPG with 10 AST in a season. However history has proven little guards can’t lead a team to a title. Perhaps he can change that, but the Hawks will need another ball handler to hell him out.

Maybe Curry is the one exception

[The_Reverend]

I too think Trae is an awesome buy
3 revolution cracked ice
1 each of chronicles red crusade, optichrome and Phoenix have been my pick ups

[tupark82]

Originally Posted by gmoney000

I really don't understand the hate for Trae on here... in his second season the guys doing what it took Curry 3-4 years to do. GSW wasn't good until 3-4 years after Curry arrived.

I think Trae will have the better career, and eventually win Championships in ATL. I love the way they're building their team.

I happen to like Trae but let's put some respect on Curry's name. By saying Trae will have a better career, you're indicating Trae will change the game itself at the bare minimum. Trae is a product of what Curry has done

[greg8731]

Well I collect Trae so I'm biased but I love his game and hope the Hawks become contenders in the East. Also just happen to have just picked these up from the post office and pretty excited to have the red PSA 10

[cincybearcats1]

The other reason to collect Trae besides him being great is that their team has millions of available cap space to pull in a superstar. They're gonna be tough in the East veeeeeery soon.

[ZionCards]

So I know alot of how players cards go up and down is based solely on offense.

But can you be an all-time great when you are statistically the worst defensive player in the NBA?

Because that's what Trae was last season.

Something to think about when investing

[gmoney000]

Originally Posted by ZionCards

So I know alot of how players cards go up and down is based solely on offense.

But can you be an all-time great when you are statistically the worst defensive player in the NBA?

Because that's what Trae was last season.

Something to think about when investing

Go buy some Zion Cards ZionCards

[brothertona]

Defense doesn't matter in today's game. Guard play as well as we have seen in the playoffs has never been more important. The Hawks have more money than everyone else - they also have two legitimate stars in John Collins and Trae Young. If Capela can man the middle and Cam Reddish shows his late season rise wasn't a fluke they'll be a playoff team. I don't think they need a title for Trae's prices to explode - I just think they need to show out in the playoffs which I think they'll do.

[cboog3105]

lmao teams scoring 160 in non overtime games and zioncards says defense matters

what about zions awful defense?

[armyml]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

I get the gripes about his d, because his defense is truly offensive.

Dude is that a reference to that old commercial with Peyton Manning playing a football video game online and is talking trash?!?!

[cincybearcats1]

Dude he's been in the league for 2 years. Players don't develop as quickly as him and Luka, they are an anomaly. So his defense needs work? Cool, somebody spend 3 weeks with him on getting around a screen and do a lot of agility work. I swear man, you guys have never played a sport in your lives.

[BreaultCards]

Originally Posted by cincybearcats1

Dude he's been in the league for 2 years. Players don't develop as quickly as him and Luka, they are an anomaly. So his defense needs work? Cool, somebody spend 3 weeks with him on getting around a screen and do a lot of agility work. I swear man, you guys have never played a sport in your lives.

While I agree with the premise of your argument, in this specific case, Trae is never going to be a good defender. Likely will never not be a liability. He is small and not very fast without the ball. That said, I don’t think his defense is going to be much of a value problem if any.

[ZionCards]

Originally Posted by cincybearcats1

Dude he's been in the league for 2 years. Players don't develop as quickly as him and Luka, they are an anomaly. So his defense needs work? Cool, somebody spend 3 weeks with him on getting around a screen and do a lot of agility work. I swear man, you guys have never played a sport in your lives.

Lol. You just wrote he can become a good defender in 3 weeks. That comment is what actually reeks of someone who has never played sports.

Lu Dort should just spend 3 weeks shooting and he will be Steph Curry!