Early Impacts: Most Watched 2020-21 NBA Rookie Cards

It was an odd start to their careers, that’s for sure.  No hearing the commissioner call their name, then walking up to a stage and holding up a jersey. No Summer League. A short training camp with little or no preseason competition. Even the best 2020-21 NBA rookie cards won’t likely match the year-long frenzy over Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, Tyler Herro and the rest of the ’19-20 group. 

Still, several members of the 2020 NBA Draft class are making an impact and some will undoubtedly become stars before long. 

LeMelo Ball is already the youngest player in league history (19) to put up a triple double and the Hornets newcomer tops NBA.com’s Rookie Ladder.  He’s the oddsmakers’ choice to win Rookie of the Year.

One and done Kentucky star Tyrese Maxey of the Sixers has already scored 39 in a game, the most by an NBA rookie in their first career start in 50 years.

Sacramento’s Tyrese Haliburton is drawing rave reviews for his passing and can shoot it pretty well, too. 

Top pick Anthony Edwards has brought his scoring ability to Minnesota.

Despite virtually no college experience, seven-footer James Wiseman has stepped into the Golden State Warriors rotation and has a chance to be a force for years to come.  

Versatile Patrick Williams is starting for the Bulls despite never starting in college.

Cole Anthony, Obi Toppin and Deni Avdija will also be on collectors’ radar as the league fights through a challenging season.

While the later than normal start to their rookie campaign resulted in the delayed release of some Panini America products, you can see from the list below that there are plenty of collectors and prospectors chasing 2020-21 basketball rookie cards.  To see the overall most watched basketball rookie card auctions, click here.

100 Most Watched 2020-21 NBA Rookie Card Auctions

	2021 Donruss Optic #201 TREVOR LAWRENCE BLUE HOLO ROOKIE AUTO RC 71/99 32 bids - Price: $1,075.00 - Watchers: 151
	2021 Donruss Optic #201 TREVOR LAWRENCE HOLO SILVER ROOKIE AUTO RC 10/125 39 bids - Price: $710.00 - Watchers: 149
	2021 Donruss Optic #201 TREVOR LAWRENCE HOLO RED ROOKIE AUTO RC 13/75 32 bids - Price: $560.00 - Watchers: 145
	2021 Donruss Optic #201 TREVOR LAWRENCE HOLO SILVER ROOKIE AUTO RC 69/125 30 bids - Price: $730.00 - Watchers: 137
	2021 Panini Contenders #101A TREVOR LAWRENCE ROOKIE CRACKED ICE AUTO BGS 9.5/10 49 bids - Price: $10,000.00 - Watchers: 131
	2021 Donruss Optic #201 TREVOR LAWRENCE AQUA HOLO ROOKIE RC # 280/299 26 bids - Price: $274.00 - Watchers: 129
	2020-21 Donruss Optic Tyrese Maxey #171 GOLD VINYL Rookie 1/1 PSA 8 RC SM 23 bids - Price: $2,100.00 - Watchers: 124
	2021 Contenders Optic TREVOR LAWRENCE PRIZM SILVER ROOKIE AUTO BGS 9.5 GEM POP 2 48 bids - Price: $2,325.00 - Watchers: 121
	2020-21 National Treasures Tyrese Haliburton Rookie Logoman 2/5 BGS 8.5 24 bids - Price: $605.00 - Watchers: 116
	2021 Contenders Optic #101 TREVOR LAWRENCE PURPLE PULSAR ROOKIE AUTO /21 PSA 9 36 bids - Price: $1,225.00 - Watchers: 116
	2020-21 Donruss Elite Passing The Torch Anthony Edwards RC Ja Morant AUTO 16/25 46 bids - Price: $830.00 - Watchers: 115
	2021 Panini Select #245 TREY LANCE DRAGON SCALE PRIZM ROOKIE RC /89 PSA 10 POP 2 32 bids - Price: $420.00 - Watchers: 111
	2021 Donruss Optic #201 TREVOR LAWRENCE HOLO SILVER ROOKIE AUTO RC 104/125 22 bids - Price: $760.00 - Watchers: 107
	2022 Panini Flawless Anthony Edwards Rookie Patch Auto 15/25 RPA PSA 8 Auto 10 48 bids - Price: $2,025.00 - Watchers: 98
	2021 Panini Contenders TREVOR LAWRENCE RED ZONE ROOKIE AUTO RC BGS 9.5/10 GEM 31 bids - Price: $1,625.00 - Watchers: 90
	2021 Contenders Optic #101 TREVOR LAWRENCE PRIZM SILVER ROOKIE AUTO PSA 9 MINT 27 bids - Price: $650.00 - Watchers: 84
	2021 Barry Sanders Panini National Treasures Auto GOLD PSA 10 POP 1/1 /49 NT HOF 26 bids - Price: $222.00 - Watchers: 82
	2021 Panini Prizm #331 TREVOR LAWRENCE SILVER PRIZM ROOKIE PSA 10 GEM MINT 🔥 38 bids - Price: $3,050.00 - Watchers: 81
	2020-21 Flawless College Platinum Tyrese Haliburton 1/1 ROOKIE PATCH AUTO RC RPA 22 bids - Price: $202.00 - Watchers: 76
	2020 Panini Prizm Tyrese Halliburton Silver Auto Penmanship RC PSA 10 AUTO 10 29 bids - Price: $360.00 - Watchers: 76
	2021 Donruss Clearly #53 JUSTIN FIELDS BLUE ROOKIE AUTO /99 BGS 9 MINT / 10 55 bids - Price: $255.00 - Watchers: 76
	Mac Jones 2021 Select Signatures Rookie Auto Gold Shimmer 7/10 SSP-MJO 23 bids - Price: $187.50 - Watchers: 74
	2020 National Treasures Anthony Edwards ROOKIE PATCH AUTO /75 #111 BGS 9.5/10 31 bids - Price: $2,850.00 - Watchers: 73
	2021 Contenders Optic #203 TREY LANCE RED HOLO ROOKIE AUTO RC # 63/75 16 bids - Price: $479.00 - Watchers: 73
	2020-21 Panini Noir #347 Anthony Edwards ROOKIE PATCH AUTO 38/99 RPA RC Twolves 28 bids - Price: $835.00 - Watchers: 72
	2020-21 James Wiseman Panini Hoops GOLD Prizm Hyper /10 PSA 10 POP 1/1 #205 RC 21 bids - Price: $89.00 - Watchers: 71
	2020-21 Panini Select Basketball Anthony Edwards Rookie Patch Auto RC /199! 🔥q* 24 bids - Price: $132.50 - Watchers: 70
	2021 Panini Contenders TREVOR LAWRENCE DRAFT CLASS ROOKIE AUTO /25 PSA 9 MINT 40 bids - Price: $640.00 - Watchers: 70
	2020-21 Panini Contenders Optic Tyrese Haliburton Rookie Ticket Auto Variation 17 bids - Price: $56.00 - Watchers: 70
	2022 Panini Prizm Sam Howell RC #306 SSP GOLD PRIZM 01/10 Commanders Rookie SR1 20 bids - Price: $2,125.00 - Watchers: 68
	2020-21 Donruss Tyrese Haliburton Choice Black Gold Infinite Rookie RC #6/8 38 bids - Price: $236.50 - Watchers: 68
	TYRESE HALIBURTON 2020-21 PANINI FLAWLESS ROOKIE PATCH AUTO RPA 25/25 encased 37 bids - Price: $1,600.00 - Watchers: 65
	2020 Panini Contenders #104 JUSTIN HERBERT TEAM HELMET SP ROOKIE AUTO PSA 9/10 29 bids - Price: $1,855.00 - Watchers: 65
	2020-21 Panini Silver Prizm Anthony Edwards RC Rookie AUTO Timberwolves PSA 9 26 bids - Price: $318.00 - Watchers: 64
	2020-21 National Treasures James Wiseman RPA RC Patch 92/99 BGS 9.5 w/ 10 AUTO 31 bids - Price: $285.00 - Watchers: 64
	2021 Panini Select #45 TREY LANCE DRAGON SCALE PRIZM ROOKIE RC # 41/89 31 bids - Price: $360.00 - Watchers: 62
	2020-21 Panini Donruss Optic DESMOND BANE Rated Rookie TRUE GOLD #10/10 EBAY 1/1 10 bids - Price: $220.50 - Watchers: 58
	2020-21 Optic ANTHONY EDWARDS Red Choice /88 Rated Rookie RC SP (beautiful Card) 19 bids - Price: $208.50 - Watchers: 58
	2021-22 Josh Giddey Select RC Auto Prizm 5/25 Tie Dye PSA 10 POP 1/1 Panini Gem 14 bids - Price: $227.50 - Watchers: 58
	2020-21 Panini Flux Equinox Rookie Autographs Wave Anthony Edwards RC AUTO 22 bids - Price: $131.50 - Watchers: 56
	2020-21 Contenders Optic Anthony Edwards #139 Rookie On-Card RC Auto - PSA 9 54 bids - Price: $777.00 - Watchers: 56
	ANTHONY EDWARDS HGA 9.5 GEM MINT ROOKIE SILVER PRIZMS RC SP 2020-21 PANINI PRIZM 11 bids - Price: $35.00 - Watchers: 55
	2021 Donruss Optic #201 TREVOR LAWRENCE HOLO SILVER WAVE ROOKIE RC 255/299 16 bids - Price: $152.50 - Watchers: 54
	2020-21 Panini Select Rookie Jersey Auto Tie Dye Prizm 1/25 Lamelo Ball BGS... 24 bids - Price: $710.00 - Watchers: 52
	2020-21 Panini Prizm Anthony Edwards Rookie Signatures Red Choice RC Auto PSA 10 29 bids - Price: $780.00 - Watchers: 52
	2020-21 Panini Fast Break Pink Prizm #278 LaMelo Ball RC Rookie 10/50 PSA 9 MINT 30 bids - Price: $145.50 - Watchers: 52
	2020-21 James Wiseman Panini Prizm Orange Ice RC PSA 10 Gem #268 Holo Pristine 17 bids - Price: $32.00 - Watchers: 51
	2021 Panini Select Basketball Jalen Green Courtside Hybrid Red Prizm RC /49 SSP 10 bids - Price: $51.00 - Watchers: 51
	2020-21 Panini Prizm Sensational Anthony Edwards RC Rookie AUTO PSA 10 GEM MINT 41 bids - Price: $293.00 - Watchers: 51
	2020-21 Panini Silver Prizm #256 Tyrese Maxey 76ers RC Rookie PSA 10 GEM MINT 24 bids - Price: $158.38 - Watchers: 49
	2020-21 National Treasures Jaden McDaniels RC ROOKIE PATCH AUTO #42/99 BGS 9 30 bids - Price: $1,000.00 - Watchers: 47
	2020-21 PRIZM LaMELO BALL Red PRIZM /299 PSA 10 ROOKIE CARD 24 bids - Price: $405.00 - Watchers: 47
	2020-2021 Panini Obsidian TYRESE HALLIBURTON Purple Etch 29/49 RPA 19 bids - Price: $100.00 - Watchers: 47
	2020-21 Panini Blue Fast Break Prizm Anthony Edwards RC Rookie /175 PSA 9 16 bids - Price: $187.50 - Watchers: 46
	2020-21 Panini Mosaic Genesis Prizm #263 Tyrese Maxey RC Rookie SSP PSA 10 19 bids - Price: $107.50 - Watchers: 46
	2020-21 Donruss Orange Laser #201 Anthony Edwards RC Rookie AUTO PSA 9 MINT 15 bids - Price: $162.50 - Watchers: 46
	2020-21 Panini Select Silver Prizm LaMelo Ball Hornets RC Rookie AUTO 232/249 40 bids - Price: $227.50 - Watchers: 46
	2020-21 Prizm Anthony Edwards RC Blue Prizm /199 14 bids - Price: $75.00 - Watchers: 45
	Mac Jones 2021 Donruss Rated Rookie Blue Auto #255 7 bids - Price: $9.50 - Watchers: 45
	2020-21 Josh Green Select RC Auto Prizm /30 Neon Orange PSA 10 Pulsar POP 1/1 23 bids - Price: $137.50 - Watchers: 45
	2021-22 Panini Mosaic - Jonathan Kuminga NBA Debut #268 RC - GOLD MOSAIC /10 14 bids - Price: $177.00 - Watchers: 45
	TYRESE HALIBURTON 2020-21 SELECT PREMIER LEVEL GOLD DIE CUT ROOKIE SP 5/10 PSA 9 15 bids - Price: $26.00 - Watchers: 44
	2020-21 Panini Crown Royale Blue 4/75 Lamelo Ball #RCA-BAL Rookie Auto RC 15 bids - Price: $202.50 - Watchers: 44
	2020-21 Panini Prizm Tyrese Haliburton Fast Break Pink Rookie RC #/50 16 bids - Price: $202.50 - Watchers: 44
	2020-21 Anthony Edwards BGS 9 Panini Mosaic White Prizm Rookie Rc #03/25 *NICE* 8 bids - Price: $53.00 - Watchers: 42
	2020-21 Panini Select Phenomenon Gold 2/10 Devin Vassell #21 Rookie RC 14 bids - Price: $31.37 - Watchers: 41
	2020-21 Panini Orange Ice Prizm #258 Anthony Edwards RC Rookie PSA 10 GEM MINT 15 bids - Price: $216.50 - Watchers: 41
	2020-21 Panini Optic Anthony Edwards RC Gold Pulsar /10 PSA 9 Rookie 20 bids - Price: $1,275.00 - Watchers: 41
	2020-21 Panini Lamelo Ball Absolute 6 Swatch Tools of the Trade RPA Auto #/99 17 bids - Price: $116.00 - Watchers: 40
	2020-21 Panini Select Neon Green Prizm Tyrese Maxey RC Rookie AUTO 14/99 PSA 10 19 bids - Price: $310.00 - Watchers: 40
	2020-21 Panini Flawless Cole Anthony RPA RC Rookie Patch AUTO /25 PSA 9 PMJS 25 bids - Price: $106.50 - Watchers: 39
	Tyrese Halliburton 2020-21 DONRUSS OPTIC Rated Rookie On Card Auto. 8 bids - Price: $83.00 - Watchers: 39
	2020-21 Panini Mosaic Gold Wave Prizm #252 Anthony Edwards RC Rookie PSA 10 19 bids - Price: $88.00 - Watchers: 39
	TYRESE HALIBURTON 2020 Mosaic PURPLE PRIZM SP Rookie Card RC /49 PACERS KINGS 14 bids - Price: $38.00 - Watchers: 38
	Tyrese Haliburton 2020-21 Panini Noir RC Rookie Patch Auto RPA Autograph 03/99 15 bids - Price: $182.50 - Watchers: 38
	2021 Panini Optic Cade Cunningham Rated Rookie ON CARD Auto #161 PSA 10 CENTERED 8 bids - Price: $184.50 - Watchers: 37
	2020-21 Select Prizms Blue Disco Tyrese Maxey Courtside RC ROOKIE 8/25 PSA 10 8 bids - Price: $51.00 - Watchers: 37
	2020-21 Panini Flawless Cole Anthony RPA RC Rookie Patch AUTO /25 BGS 9/10 PMJS 13 bids - Price: $57.00 - Watchers: 37
	2020-21 Crown Royale Tyrese Maxey Rookie Auto Blue 14/75 #RCA-MAX RC PSA 8 13 bids - Price: $31.00 - Watchers: 36
	2020-21 Panini Immaculate ANTHONY EDWARDS PREMIUM RPA RC Rookie PATCH AUTO /50 3 bids - Price: $2,650.00 - Watchers: 36
	2020-21 One and One Scottie Barnes RPA Emeral Jersey # 4/5!!! RC SP Raptors! 6 bids - Price: $305.00 - Watchers: 36
	2020-21 Select Tyrese Maxey Concourse Green Disco Prizm Rookie RC #2/5 PSA 9 6 bids - Price: $82.00 - Watchers: 36
	2020-21 Spectra LaMelo Ball Gold Prizm Rookie RC #06/10 PSA 9 Hornets 11 bids - Price: $45.00 - Watchers: 36
	2020-21 National Treasures Jordan Nwora RPA Rookie Patch Auto /99 BGS 8.5/10 RC 4 bids - Price: $41.00 - Watchers: 36
	2021 Donruss Optic NFL Justin Fields RC #204 Rated Rookie RED /99 PSA 9 18 bids - Price: $86.00 - Watchers: 35
	2020-21 Prizm Fast Break Anthony Edwards Rookie Variation Silver Disco #258 RC 6 bids - Price: $7.50 - Watchers: 35
	James Wiseman 2020-21 Panini Select Tmall Rookie Patch Auto Red Wave Prizm RPA 10 bids - Price: $9.09 - Watchers: 35
	2020-21 Select Anthony Edwards RC Courtside Red Disco Prizm /49 10 bids - Price: $67.00 - Watchers: 35
	2020-21 Donruss Choice ANTHONY EDWARDS Blue Rated Rookie SP /49 Gem Mint PSA 10 27 bids - Price: $163.96 - Watchers: 35
	2020-21 Panini Court Kings Fresh Paint Anthony Edwards Rookie RC Auto /35 Nm-M 14 bids - Price: $162.50 - Watchers: 35
	2020 Contenders Optic Rookie Ticket Silver Prizm Auto Jaden McDaniels RC PSA 9 3 bids - Price: $52.00 - Watchers: 34
	2020-21 Panini Prizm Choice Blue Yellow and Green #278 LaMelo Ball RC Rookie 12 bids - Price: $46.00 - Watchers: 34
	2020-21 Donruss Optic Tyrese Maxey Checkerboard Prizm SP Rookie RC #171 76ers 10 bids - Price: $14.50 - Watchers: 34
	2020-21 Panini Mosaic Rookie Mosaic Anthony Edwards #RA-AED Rookie Auto RC 19 bids - Price: $102.50 - Watchers: 34
	STEPHEN CURRY 2020 21 PANINI CERTIFIED SIGNED SEALED AND DELIVERED AUTO 1/5 13 bids - Price: $56.00 - Watchers: 34
	2020-21 Flawless Josh Green Rookie Vertical Patch Auto RPA 11/25 Mavericks 20 bids - Price: $167.50 - Watchers: 33
	2020-21 Mosaic LaMelo Ball Rookie Fusion Red Yellow Choice 87/88 True RC 9 bids - Price: $31.00 - Watchers: 33
	2020-21 Obsidian Desmond Bane SP Rookie Patch Auto /15 3 Color RPA PSA 9 Jersey 1 bids - Price: $99.00 - Watchers: 33
	2020-21 Contenders Optic Killian Hayes Gold Prizm Rookie RC #03/10 PSA 10 Auto 9 19 bids - Price: $61.00 - Watchers: 33

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About Rich Mueller

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for over 35 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected]