NFTinformer
Sporting memorabilia has consistently ranked high among the most popular collectible markets. Whether it’s a historic baseball trading card or a signed NFL jersey, buyers crave more, including items from their favourite basketball players. Today, we’re discussing the most valuable NBA NFTs, including those available on the hugely popular NBA Top Shot NFT marketplace.
Why NFTs?
NFTs stand for non-fungible tokens that are created using blockchain technology. NFTs allow digital works to be bought and sold virtually by transferring ownership through the token part.
NBA NFTs
The NFT craze is a perfect space for digital sporting moments, and that’s why NBA Top Shot has gotten huge with fans globally. This site allows collectors to own slices of basketball history, including official NBA-licensed video highlights.
What You’ll Find in NBA Top Shot NFTs
The site is renowned for licensed video NFTs featuring player debuts in the paint, notorious plays or game-changing slams by basketball legends. Some of the rarer videos have sold or traded for hundreds of thousands of dollars!
Most Valuable Top Shot NFTs
You’re here to find out the most valuable NBA NFTs, so let’s get into our list! First up is ‘King James.’
2020 NBA Finals Run LeBron James Dunk
This phenomenal moment in sports history is incredibly significant. Note the serial number that drove this NFT’s value up – it’s LeBron’s jersey number.
- Sold for $230,023 in August 2021
- Series: 2020 NBA Finals (Series 1)
- Serial number: #23
- Rarity: Legendary (1 of 79)
NFT recap: LeBron effortlessly catches an Alex Caruso pass and lands a powerful slam dunk against the Miami Heat, his former team.
2019-20 LeBron James Dunk
In LeBron’s Top Shot debut NFT, it’s interesting that the serial number doesn’t match James’ jersey. The seller, “Sparky_24,” initially drew this NFT from a pack, so he made a sweet profit.
- Sold for $208,000 in February 2021
- Series: Cosmic (Series 1)
- Serial number: #29 of 49
- Rarity: Legendary (1 of 49)
- Current owner: “jesse”
NFT recap: James makes it clear he can still throw down with the best when he postures a rival Kings defender and mean-mugs to the delight of Staples Center fans.
As any NBA super-fan knows, there must be plenty of LeBron James NFTs. That’s right, and we’ve got the details here in our LeBron James “list within a list”:
2019-20 LeBron James Dunk
- Sold for $125,000 in February 2021
- Series: From the Top
- Serial number: #12
NFT recap: Although this NFT in the From the Top series sold for more, the next NFT is more significant in the NFT space for two reasons. This LeBron block NFT was drawn from a pack by “j1mmy.”
2019-20 LeBron James Block
- Sold for $100,000 in January 2021
- Series: From the Top
- Serial number: #1 of 59
- Current owner: “spicy_seal2934”
NFT recap: Serial #1 in the From the Top series is significant because it was the first sale of this James collectible, and its $100,000 price tag was as high as a Top Shot NFT could go for in January 2021.
2019-20 LeBron James Dunk
- Sold for $100,000 in February 2021
- Series: Throwdowns
- Serial number: #1 of 275
- Current owner: “greekfreak”
NFT recap: The seller, “Pranked,” emerged as the biggest earner in the early days of NBA Top Shot. He’s spent $348,000 in the marketplace and made +$4 million.
2019-20 LeBron James Dunk
- Sold for $99,9999 in February 2021
- Series: Holo MMXX
- Serial number: #12 of 32
- Current owner: flamboyant_mangosteens7204
- Rarity: Legendary
NFT Recap: $1 shy of $100K, this LeBron Holo collectible is the most expensive without a Serial #1. Seller “Pranked” drew this one from a pack.
2019-20 LeBron James Dunk
- Sold for $99,999 in February 2021
- Series: Base Set
- Serial number: #6
We could probably begin and end with King James, but there are other big-ticket NBA player NFTs to mention.
Let’s get into this, starting with Memphis Grizzlies Guard Ja Morant.
2019-20 Ja Morant Dunk
This NFT is a Challenge Reward that cannot get pulled from the pack.
- Sold for $100,000 in February 2021
- Series: Holo MMXX (Series 1)
- Serial number: #8
- Rarity: Legendary (1 of 25)
NFT recap: In his Top Shot debut, Morant tests the opposing defence in his 2019 rookie year.
Next up, we have New Orleans Pelicans Forward Zion Williamson.
2019-20 Zion Williamson Block
This NFT was the first sale drawn from the Holo pack, sold by “MatthewWoodsi.” This NFT’s value should increase because the serial number is Williamson’s jersey number.
- Sold for $100,000 in January 2021
- Series: Holo MMXX
- Serial number: #1 of 50 (jersey number)
- Current owner: “jerlevine”
NFT recap: Buyer Jeremy Levine is a huge player in the sports speculation arena. He recently launched the platform Underdog Sports for year-long fantasy games and Levine’s previous venture as a fantasy app, Draft.
Next up, back-to-back MVP in the NBA (2019, 2020), Giannis Antetokounmpo, Power Forward with the Milwaukee Bucks.
2019-20 Giannis Antetokounmpo Dunk
- Sold for $95,000 in February 2021
- Series: Cosmic (Series 1)
- Serial number: #47
- Rarity: Legendary (1 of 49)
NFT recap: In his Top Shot debut, Antetokounmpo’s strength and quickness show as he blows past a Pacers defender and throws down a slam.
A two-time MVP deserves another mention, right? So here’s another moment from Antetokounmpo:
2019-20 Giannis Antetokounmpo Dunk
With his staggering presence in the NBA, it’s a bit strange that other Top Shot moments have surpassed Antetokounmpo.
The seller of this Antetokounmpo jersey moment, “Pranked,” drew it from a pack.
- Sold for $85,000 in February 2021
- Series: Holo MMXX
- Serial number: #34 of 50 (jersey number)
- Current owner: “Libruary”
NFT recap: Antetokounmpo reaches sky-high for a signature left-handed dunk during a game on November 16, 2019, overpowering two Pacers defenders in the process.
Finally, we complete our list with a suitable candidate for NBA MVP every year, Golden State Warriors Point Guard Stephen Curry.
2020-21 Stephen Curry Handles
Seller “Alex” drew this Steph Curry moment from a pack, and this Serial #1 is the most expensive Curry moment sold to date.
- Sold for $85,000 in February 2021
- Series: Deck the Hoops
- Serial number: #1 of 40
- Current owner: DeepThreePointer
The majority (if not all) of the NBA are enthusiastic about NBA NFTs, and the league’s leading players see great opportunities for themselves and the legacy of basketball.
Final Thoughts About Top Shop Moments and NFTs
Some skeptics call NFTs “just a bubble.”
While they mean the entire NFT space, there’s strong reason to believe that NBA NFTs and NBA Top Shot NFTs have a promising future, as Dapper Labs works with the league for even better fan and player interaction.
Proof of this is their joint creation of a virtual game called NBA Hardcourt. Immersive and interactive, NBA Hardcourt will allow virtual players to create their own NBA Moments basketball teams and use collectible Moments to upgrade their skills.
