You’ve probably seen the headlines. As of early 2026, the Memphis Grizzlies are finally listening to trade offers for Ja Morant. It feels like a lifetime ago that he was the "untouchable" savior of Grind City, leaping over seven-footers and making every Ja Morant rookie card look like a guaranteed ticket to a retired beach life.
The market is weird right now. Honestly, it's a bit of a mess. Morant’s production has dipped to about 19 points per game this season, and his three-point shooting is hovering at a rough 21%. But if you're a card collector, this "down" period is actually the most interesting time to talk about his cardboard.
Why? Because the "Ja-natic" hype from 2021 has evaporated, leaving behind some of the most iconic modern basketball cards at prices we haven't seen in years.
What's Actually Happening with Ja Morant Rookie Card Prices?
If you bought a PSA 10 Panini Prizm Ja Morant at the peak, don't look at your bank account. It'll hurt. Back in the day, these were moving for several hundred dollars. Now? You can snag a 2019 Panini Prizm Ja Morant #249 in a PSA 10 for somewhere between $20 and $30.
That is a massive collapse. But it's also a massive opportunity for people who still believe in the talent.
The volume is still there, though. On eBay, you’ll see dozens of these ending every single day. People are still betting on the "change of scenery" narrative. If Ja gets traded to a team like the Spurs to play with Wemby or joins Giannis in Milwaukee, those $25 Prizms aren't staying at $25.
✨ Don't miss: Red Sox vs Yankees: What Most People Get Wrong About Baseball's Biggest Feud
The "Young Dolph" Lore
One of the most unique cards in the entire hobby is the 2019 Panini Chronicles #116. It’s basically a Memphis time capsule. If you look at the background, you can see the late rapper Young Dolph sitting courtside.
Collectors love this stuff. It’s not just a sports card; it’s a piece of culture. While the base version is dirt cheap, the high-grade parallels—like the Teal or Pink versions—still command a premium because of that specific "lore." A PSA 10 of the base Young Dolph card still moves for around $200-$250, proving that story often beats stats in the long run.
The Tier List: Which Cards Matter Most?
Not all rookies are created equal. Panini flooded the market in 2019, so you have to be picky.
- The Gold Standard: Panini Prizm Silver. This is the "true" rookie for most serious collectors. The Silver Prizm Refractor (Card #249) in a PSA 10 currently sits around $240. It’s down from its highs, but it’s held its value way better than the base paper cards.
- The High-End Whale: National Treasures RPA. This is the Rookie Patch Auto. We’re talking five-figure territory even in a down market. A BGS 9.5/10 of the vertical RPA /99 is still the "holy grail" for Grizzlies fans.
- The Cool Factor: Donruss Optic "Rated Rookie." Honestly, the Optic Holos are some of the best-looking cards ever made. They have that "on-card" feel even though they’re chrome. You can find these for a fraction of the Prizm price, and many think the design is actually superior.
The Risk of the "Albatross" Contract
Here is the part most "investors" won't tell you. Ja is eligible for a $178 million extension soon. Teams are terrified. If his athleticism continues to fade due to those lingering calf and knee issues, he becomes an untradeable asset.
In the card world, injury is the ultimate value-killer.
🔗 Read more: OU Football Depth Chart 2025: Why Most Fans Are Getting the Roster Wrong
We saw it with Derrick Rose. We saw it with Penny Hardaway. If the "burst" doesn't come back, the ja morant rookie card market might never recover to those 2022 levels. You have to decide if you’re buying a future Hall of Famer at a discount or a "what could have been" story.
Grading: Is it still worth it?
If you have a raw Morant rookie sitting in a shoebox, think twice before sending it to PSA. With base Prizms selling for $25 in a Gem Mint 10, the $15-$20 grading fee plus shipping means you’re basically breaking even.
Only grade the rare stuff.
- Numbered parallels (to /99, /49, or lower)
- Silver Prizms with perfect centering
- Short prints like the "Kaboom!" or "Downtown" inserts
The "Buy Low" Strategy for 2026
If I'm looking at Ja Morant cards today, I’m ignoring the base stuff entirely. There’s just too much of it. The "Pop Report" for his base Prizm is over 20,000. That’s a lot of plastic.
Instead, look for the 2019 Select Courtside. The Select set has three levels: Concourse, Premier, and Courtside. The Courtside is the rarest. It’s got a great image of Ja flexing, and the print run is significantly lower than Prizm.
💡 You might also like: NL Rookie of the Year 2025: Why Drake Baldwin Actually Deserved the Hardware
Another sleeper? The 2019 Panini Luminance. There’s a specific card where he’s attempting a dunk over Kevin Love. He missed the dunk, but the photo is legendary. It’s one of the few "non-chrome" cards that collectors actually fight over. You can find a PSA 10 for around $100, and it’s a beautiful piece of photography.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
If you're looking to enter the market or average down your position, here is the play:
- Watch the Trade Deadline: If a trade to a big-market team (Lakers, Knicks, or a Wemby pairing) is announced, prices will spike instantly. Have your eBay saved searches ready.
- Focus on Scarcity: Forget base cards. Look for "Silver" or "Holo" variations at a minimum.
- Check the "Pop Higher" numbers: Before buying a PSA 9, check how many 10s exist. If there are 10,000 10s and only 2,000 9s, the 9 is basically a coaster.
- The Eye Test: Watch his next three games after he returns from the calf contusion. If he’s not attacking the rim, his cards are a "sell." If the bounce is back, it’s "buy" time.
The reality is that Ja Morant is still only 26. He’s a two-time All-Star with a signature shoe line and a highlight reel that rivals anyone in league history. The hobby is fickle, but it also loves a comeback story. Just don't spend money you can't afford to lose on a guy whose career literally depends on his ankles.
Check the latest "Sold" listings on 130Point or eBay before you pull the trigger on any ja morant rookie card. Prices are moving fast, and in this market, the "Ask" price is usually a lie.