We don’t know who’s going where, but we do know Panini America has reached exclusive trading card agreements with seven projected first-round picks in
advance of Thursday’s 2014 NBA Draft: Andrew Wiggins (Kansas), Jabari Parker (Duke), Joel Embiid (Kansas), Dante Exum (Australia), Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State), Noah Vonleh (Indiana) and Tyler Ennis (Syracuse). Panini America announced the signing of Exum in April.
The new agreements grant Panini America exclusive rights to produce officially licensed NBA Rookie Cards and autographed trading cards of the players.
The first pick remains uncertain although speculation seems to lead to Parker being tabbed first by the Cleveland Cavaliers with Wiggins perhaps second to Milwaukee. Draft day deals could change that, however.
The first rookie cards and autographs of the 2014-15 NBA Draft class will arrive in October inside the company’s 2014-15 NBA Hoops product, which carries a $1.99 retail pack price point.
“This is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic and talented drafts in a number of years, and that has generated a lot of hype and demand already for our entire line of 2014-15 NBA trading card releases,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “The seven players we inked to exclusive deals represent the best of a top-flight class. We’re excited to see where they go Thursday night – and even more excited about producing their first NBA trading cards.”