Cooper Flagg isn’t just another elite prospect—he’s being heralded as a potential franchise-altering NBA talent, posting incredible per game averages at Duke. At 6'9" with elite defensive instincts, a polished offensive game, and a motor that never stops, Flagg’s loftiest comparisons have invoked the names of legends such as Kevin Garnett and a young LeBron James.
With this level of anticipation, Flagg’s rookie cards are already being projected as future grails. But how much could they actually be worth? Let’s break it down based on historical sales of similar players and market trends.
Silver Prizm – The Standard for Modern Collectors
The Silver Prizm has become the benchmark rookie card for every modern NBA star. While it’s not numbered, its liquidity and popularity make it a go-to for both investors and collectors.
Comparables:
Anthony Edwards PSA 10 – $1,500+ at release (now settled around $750)
Victor Wembanyama PSA 10 – $2,000+ at release (now settled around $700-$750)
Projected Value for Cooper Flagg:
$1,500+ for a PSA 10 at release (should stabilize around $650-$700
If he has a dominant Rookie of the Year campaign, stabilized values could rise to the $750-$850 range the proceeding offseason
Donruss Optic Holo – The Alternative Chromium Chase
While Optic is considered a step below Prizm, its Holo parallel is still a key rookie card for investors. It’s lower in print than Silver Prizm but lacks the same historical weight.
Comparables:
Cade Cunningham PSA 10 Holo – $133
Edwards PSA 10 Holo – $225-$275
Projected Value for Cooper Flagg:
$500+ at release for a PSA 10 (should stabilize around $200-$250
High print runs have hurt Optic basketball in recent years. If this trend continues, Flagg rookies could see a correction to the $150-$225 range.
Black Prizm 1/1 – The True Holy Grail
The Black Prizm 1/1 is the single most desirable modern non-autograph rookie card in existence. In addition, Topps owns Flagg’s autograph rights, meaning he won’t have any of the RPA’s collectors routinely chase for star prospects ( NT Logoman Autos, Flawless RPAs, etc.)
Comparables:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Black Prizm 1/1 – $196,420
Victor Wembanyama Nebula Choice 1/1 – $856,100 (the Nebula is less valuable than true Black Prizm)
Projected Value for Cooper Flagg:
$700K-$900K assuming he meets/exceeds expectations early on in the NBA
Wemby’s gaudy Nebula sale occurred after his season-ending blood clot, which gives me more confidence in projecting such a lofty number for what could be Flagg’s undisputed best rookie card.
Final Thoughts: How Big Can Flagg’s Market Be?
Cooper Flagg’s hype, skillset, and trajectory suggest that his rookie cards will debut at elite price levels, much like Zion, Wembanyama, and Luka before him.
In the end, much of this will depend on how well he plays his rookie season as well as what team drafts him. In a best case scenario, his pricing could challenge or even rise above that of Wembanyama‘s in the early days. Once Flagg’s prices have stabilized, I expect him to be valued similarly to Anthony Edwards (assuming he plays to expectations).
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