Kevin Durant Rookie Card Market Guide

Kevin Durant's rookie cards are a hot commodity as he continues to solidify his name as one of the best offensive basketball players in NBA history. With over 30 rookie card choices, knowing which ones to invest in can take time and effort. Throughout this article, we are going to discuss who Durant is and whether or not his rookie cards are worth the investment.

Kevin Durant's Career

Kevin Durant is one of the best basketball players in the world. In nearly 1,000 NBA games played, Durant has averaged an astounding 27.2 points per game, which has solidified him as one of the greatest offensive talents the league has ever seen. Known for his lanky limbs, Durant is exceptional at creating shot separation, which has helped him become one of the most prolific scorers in history.

Durant is now playing for his fourth NBA franchise after recently being traded to the Phoenix Suns. However, he started his pro career in 2007, when the Seattle Supersonics drafted him with the second overall pick. The Sonics would relocate in 2008, as they became the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 2016, Durant joined forces with Steph Curry on the Golden State Warriors, where he would win back-to-back NBA Campionships.

Then, in 2019, Durant signed with the Brooklyn Nets, as he teamed up with Kyrie Irving and James Harden to form a new Big 3 in NYC. While Durant's time in Brooklyn has been different from what he hoped, he still averaged 30 points per game and was always a difference maker on the court. In February 2023, the Nets made a blockbuster trade, sending Durant to the Suns for multiple players and mutliple first round picks. Phoenix is hoping that Durant is the missing link to their NBA title hopes, and they'll get their first chance to make a deep postseason run as the 2023 NBA Playoffs are about to begin.

Yet, Durant already has an NBA resume that most players would envy. Here are some of the accomplishments and awards Durant has received throughout his career:

• 2x NBA Finals champion
• 2x NBA Finals MVP
• 2014 NBA MVP
• 13x NBA All-Star
• 4x NBA scoring champion
• 2018 Rookie of the Year
• 6x All-NBA First-Team
• 4x All-NBA Second-Team
• 3x Olympic Gold Medalist

Now that we have established that Durant is one of the best basketball players in the world, let's look at his rookie cards and whether or not they are a good investment.

Are Kevin Durant Rookie Cards a Good Investment?

Kevin Durant's rookie season was in 2007, and his draft class was loaded with NBA All-Stars. Other notable names from Durant's rookie class include Marc Gasol, Al Horford, Mike Conley, Joakim Noah, Thaddeus Young, and others.

While these are all great players, Durant stands out as the best of the bunch, and his rookie cards reflect that. Durant's rookie cards are some of the hobby's most popular and sought-after cards and are consistently among the market's most traded and expensive cards.

Here are some of the reasons that Durant's rookie cards make an excellent investment:

1. The number of different Kevin Durant rookie cards - As we mentioned, there are over 30 different Durant rookie cards. This means that there is a card for every type of collector, from those who are just starting to those looking for the rarest and most valuable cards.
2. The value of Kevin Durant rookie cards - Durant's rookie cards are consistently among the most valuable cards on the market.
3. The brand of Kevin Durant - Athletes that have built a strong brand are always a good investment. Durant has done an excellent job of branding himself through several business ventures, while also having one of the most popular signature basketball sneakers available today through his longtime partnership with Nike. This is another reason he is one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.
4. The popularity of basketball cards - While there are many different sports card collectors, basketball cards have consistently been some of the most popular and sought-after cards on the market. This is mainly due to the popularity of the NBA, which is only getting more prominent and more popular across the globe with each passing year.

The Most Expensive Kevin Durant Rookie Cards

While it is likely a safe investment to purchase a Kevin Durant rookie card, as with all investments, there are some key things to know. Not all of the NBA star's rookie cards are valued the same.

Here is a list of the most expensive Durant rookie cards:

2007–08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Card Parallel #94 Kevin Durant Patch Autographs #23/35 ($780,000)

The most expensive Kevin Durant rookie card is this Parallel from the 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection. This card had a grade of 9, with a signature grade of 10. The card features a horizontal design with Durant wearing his Seattle Sonics jersey. On the left-hand side of the card is a large signature in blue ink and a piece of a game-worn jersey.

Now, in general, a patch and a signature will automatically skyrocket the value of a card, so it is no surprise that this Durant card is at the top of the list. This card is rare and had the lowest print run of all the Durant rookie cards.

The highest sale for this card took place at auction in 2021, where it sold for a staggering $780,000. This card is so valuable that a grade of 8.5 sold for $98,400. To see cards with a grade under nine sell for nearly six figures shows the value of getting your hands on one of these cards.

2007–08 Topps Chrome White Refractor #131 Kevin Durant #84/99 ($288,000)

Topps Chrome is a mid-tier product but has some extremely valuable parallels within its sets. While this card has a simple design for the base card, Parallels like the X-Fractor only have 50 copies, which makes finding a highly graded version incredibly rare.

The other Parallels from this card set include the Refractor (#/1,499), Orange Refractor (#/199) and White Refractor (#/99). A White Refractor version of the card previously sold at auction for a whopping $288,000, which makes it the second most valuable Durant card on this list.

2007–08 Bowman Chrome Refractor #111 Kevin Durant ($20,433)

The Bowman Chrome series is another exceptional product for rookie cards. The base Bowman Chrome is valuable in its own right, but the Refractor Parallel is where the real value lies. This card had a higher print run than some of the other Durant rookie cards on this list, making it an excellent option for investors.

However, the Parallels, such as the Chrome Refractor, are still very expensive. In February 2021, a Gem Mint 10 example sold at auction on eBay for $20,433, an incredible price for a mid-level product.

2007–08 SP Authentic Rookie Autographs #152 Kevin Durant #223/399 ($19,200)

The next card on this list is another autographed card, this time from the 2007-08 SP Authentic set. The SP Authentic brand is known for its rookie autographs, with this print run increasing to 399 produced, which allows for sales to be a bit more affordable, even if still thousands of dollars. A perfectly graded copy sold at an auction for $19,200.

2007–08 Topps Finest Green Refractor #71 Kevin Durant #'d/149 ($14,950)

The Topps Finest concept is bold, colorful and always attention-grabbing, and the 2007-08 Finest #71 is no different. The base card has a vibrant red border and has an outlined image of Durant doing a layup while wearing his white Sonics jersey. If you are not a fan of the color choice, multiple Refractor Parallels have different colored borders. While this collection has some extremely rare Refractors, the Green Refractor has seen sales for as much as $14,950.

Best Value Kevin Durant Cards

While it would be incredible to get your hands on any of the cards listed above, they aren't exactly budget friendly. So, what are the best value Kevin Durant cards for investors on a budget?

Here are a few examples of more affordable options when it comes to Durant's rookie cards:

2007–08 Bowman Sterling #KD Kevin Durant ($1,786)

The 2007-08 Bowman Sterling was intended to be a premium card for the Bowman brand. However, the design is basic and didn't land the way Bowman hoped. Since Durant has an exclusive deal with Upper Deck, Sterling made a "regular card" instead of the autographs and memorabilia style they are known for.

A perfectly graded 2007-08 Bowman Sterling #KD has sales averaging around $60 for Ungraded copies, while averaging $216 for Gem Mint 10 condition, according to SportsCardsPro. This allows investors to get their hands on a quality Durant rookie card without spending a fortune. However, the site also shows a top sale of $1,786 from September 2021 for a Gem Mint 10 example.

2007–08 Upper Deck #234 Kevin Durant ($918)

Upper Deck is a flagship basketball card company, and their 2007-08 Durant rookie card is a perfect example of why. This card has a very clean design, with Durant holding his Seattle jersey on draft day. Upper Deck has a wide variety of Durant cards, and this is a notoriously popular one.

Due to the high print run making it a more common card, the UD #234 can be found for a lot cheaper than most of the other Durant rookie cards on this list. A perfectly graded copy can be found for just over $200 on average in the current market, but sales have reached as high as $918 in recent years, according to SportsCardsPro.

2007–08 Topps #2 Kevin Durant ($401)

The regular Topps series is a staple of card collecting, and one of the most popular sets available each year. Durant's rookie card can be found in this set and has a very simple look, with Durant in front of a black background with white borders.

Multiple Parallels for this card increase the rarity and drive up the price, but an Ungraded base 2007-08 Topps #2 sells on average for around $25. Mint condition examples jump up to around $260 on average, but SportsCardsPro also shows a top sale on eBay from January 2023 that reached $401.

Where Can I Purchase a Kevin Durant Rookie Card?

If you want to add a Kevin Durant rookie card to your investment portfolio, there are many ways to do so. One of the best ways to find cards is by browsing online auctions and retail websites. Here are some of the best places to look online:

• eBay
• EBTH
• Goldin
• Sotheby's
• Christie's
• SCP Auctions
• Invaluable
• PWCC
• Memory Lane
• Pristine Auction
• Lelands
• Robert Edward Auctions
• Heritage Auctions

Further, by searching Google, social media pages and collector forums, you can find out about sports cards and memorabilia shows coming to your area.

How Are Kevin Durant Cards Graded?

The condition of a card is determined by its grade. The higher the grade, the more valuable the card. Most Kevin Durant cards will be graded on a 1-10 scale. Here is what each number means:

1-5: Poor to Fair - These cards will show significant wear and tear. The corners will be rounded and the edges will be frayed. The card will likely have creases as well.

6-7: Good to Very Good - These cards will show some wear and tear but nothing too major. The corners will be slightly rounded, the edges will be somewhat frayed and there may also be minor creases.

8-9: Excellent to Near Mint - These cards will show little to no wear and tear. The corners will be crisp and the edges will be sharp. There may be some very minor imperfections, but nothing too major.

10: Gem Mint - These cards are in perfect condition. The corners will be razor-sharp and the edges will be pristine. There will be no creases, stains or other imperfections.

Perfect 10 - While the Gem Mint 10 was traditionally the highest grade, through modern technology, there is now a grade higher called thePerfect 10. On a Gem Mint, everything will appear flawless to the naked eye. However, to score a Perfect 10, the card must be flawless under 10x magnification.

Investing in Kevin Durant's Rookie Cards

Not only has Kevin Durant already had a fantastic career, but his cards have held their value and increased significantly in price over the years. As Durant adds more accomplishments to his resume, his cards will continue to increase in value. Durant's rookie cards are a great option if you are looking for a solid investment.

Additionally, investors and collectors alike will want to preserve and authenticate their collections to maximize their value. By getting your cards graded, you’ll have a collection that’s certified authentic, with an established quality that will always be recognized by future generations. For further information on CSG's 10-point Grading Scale and to find out more about our industry-leading services, visit CSGcards.com.

*Any mention of "investment potential" is for entertainment only and should not be construed as investment advice. The Certified Collectibles Group does not provide investment advice and is not liable for any buy, sell or trade decisions made by any parties.