Without a doubt, Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant is already one of the best players in the history of the NBA. He drops dimes nightly like they are going out of style.
Learn which Kevin Durant rookie cards you should add to your collection.
Must-Reads:
- 50 Greatest Michael Jordan Basketball Cards
- Best Luka Doncic Rookie Cards
- Top Derek Jeter Rookie Cards
The Seattle SuperSonics selected Kevin Durant (9/29/88) with the 2nd pick in the 2007 NBA Draft (1st pick was Greg Oden who played 49 games in the NBA).
He played college ball for the Texas Longhorns, averaging 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in one season (and then he was gone like the wind). He guided the Longhorns to a 25-10 record, he earned unanimous National Player of the Year honors.
The Seattle SuperSonics made Durant the second overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft. He made an instant impact, averaging 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Durant won the 2007-08 NBA Rookie of the Year award.
BUY KEVIN DURANT ROOKIE CARDS ON EBAY
The Sonics changed their name to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008. Durant spent the next eight seasons with the Thunder, leading the team to its first NBA Finals appearance in 2012. He also won the 2014 NBA MVP award.
Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors in free agency in 2016. Durant, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson were a formidable trio that helped the Warriors win the NBA title in 2017 and 2018. Durant was the NBA Finals MVP on both occasions.
After three seasons in Golden State, Durant signed with the Brooklyn Nets in July 2019.
Durant, a 12-time NBA All-Star, has averaged 27.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in his illustrious 14-year career.
As one of the best players in the NBA, it is no surprise that several excellent Kevin Durant rookie cards are out there. Let’s check out Kevin Durant’s best rookie cards for investment purposes.
2007 Kevin Durant Topps Chrome RC #131
If you’re looking for a Kevin Durant rookie card, this should be at the top of your list.
The front of the card shows a young KD in his green Seattle SuperSonics road jersey spotting up from the wing. The refractor effect is a nice finishing touch.
The back of the card reads, “Kevin wasted no time outshining some of the NBA’s brightest stars by putting on a dazzling display at the preseason Team USA minicamp, months before his NBA debut. ‘I think he missed only three or four shots in the last two days,’ Team USA tri-captain Carmelo Anthony said of Durant. ‘So I’m pretty sure he’s impressing a lot of people around here.’”
Durant’s been doing that to this very day.
2007 Kevin Durant Finest RC #71
Here’s another KD refractor rookie card that is worth your while.
The photo shows Durant driving to the hoop for an uncontested layup against the Los Angeles Clippers. The black and red background graphics help accentuate Durant’s photo.
The back of the card reads, “Kevin left NBA fans no choice but to believe the hype during the brilliant beginning to his rookie season. Durant led all rookies in scoring by a healthy margin, claimed Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors in November and December, and seemed completely comfortable as Seattle’s primary scorer.”
2007 Kevin Durant Finest Parallels: Die-Cut Super-Fractor – numbered to 1 | White-Framed X-Fractor – numbered to 1 | X-Fractor – numbered to 25 | Gold – numbered to 50 | Black – numbered to 99 | Green – numbered to 199 | Blue – numbered to 299 | Refractor | Framed Printing Plates – numbered to 1
2006 Kevin Durant Finest SuperSonics RC #102
This card shows KD in the Sonics’ alternate gold jersey – something you rarely see.
The back of the card reads, “Kevin was drafted second overall in 2007, but his final season at Texas was second-to-none. After leading the Big 12 in scoring and rebounding, Durant became just the third freshman in NCAA history to earn First Team All-American honors, and the first to be named National Player of the Year.”
Expect a nice ROI on this card in a few years’ time.
2006 Kevin Durant Finest Refractors: Autograph, Refractor (Blue > #d to 299, Green > #d to 199, Black > #d to 99, Gold > #d to 50, X-Fractor > #`d to 25, White-Framed X-Fractor > each is a 1-of-1, and Die-Cut SuperFractor > each is a 1-of-1), and Framed Printing Plates (each is a 1-of-1)
2007 Kevin Durant Bowman Sterling RC #KD
Here’s a top-of-the-line KD rookie card you must include in your collection. Bear in mind this is a Black Label card – a card which-garnered a perfect score in every criterion. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
You can see a photo of KD shooting a free throw on the front of the card.
The back of the card reads, “Kevin’s brilliance at hoops hotbed Oak Hill Academy earned him ‘must-watch buzz – and a McDonald’s All-American bid – before he ever took the floor at Texas. When Durant became the first freshman ever to be named National Player of the Year after his lights-out ’06-07, that buzz became a deafening din.”
2007 Kevin Durant Topps RC #2
This is the perfect choice for the casual KD rookie card collector. You can see a photo of a business-like Durant holding a basketball on the front. The orange border gives the card a unique feel – in fact, it’s the most prominent feature.
The back of the card reads, “No freshman had ever won the AP Player of the Year Award before Kevin claimed it in ’06-07. Then again, it could be said that the NCAA has never seen a freshman quite like this Texas forward. With a work ethic as solid as his talent is vast, and a nearly unstoppable offensive game, there are no limits on Durant’s future. ‘I truly believe he will make his mark on basketball,’ Texas coach Rick Barnes says.
2007 Kevin Durant UD Exquisite Collection #94
This is a good option if you’re a millionaire.
The 2007 Kevin Durant UD Exquisite Collection rookie card will cost more than a used BMW at high grades.
Numbered #94 the card shows Durant with the rock above his right shoulder with a goofy grin.
A SOLID rookie card for HIGH-END wealthy collectors.
Other Kevin Durant Rookie Card
While this card didn’t quite make our list, it barely missed and is still worth looking at.
2007 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Kevin Durant RC Auto #115 /150
This card is another solid option for investors due to its low print run and on-card auto.
The combination of those two features means that it will continue to retain its value and be an attractive option for investors.
In addition, it features a great image of Durant in the yellow jerseys of the Seattle Supersonics.
Overall, a really solid card that investors should give careful consideration to.
Complete Kevin Durant Rookie Year Stats
Durant played 80 games in his rookie year and averaged 34.6 minutes, 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1 steal per game… you can see why Durant was named rookie of the year in 2007 (no brainer).
Kevin Durant Rookie Card Value
The most expensive Kevin Durant rookie card is the 2006-07 Kevin Durant Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Patch Autographed Rookie Card /25 #94 was sold for a mind-blowing $799,500.
If you have a Kevin Durant rookie card and would like to know the estimated value, please email us at least two photos to value@goldcardauctions.com.
Kevin Durant rookie card buying advice? email advice@goldcardauctions.com.
Checklist
- 2007 Exquisite Collection RC Autograph Jersey Kevin Durant Rookie Card /99 #94
- 2007 Chronology Rookie Card #215 Autograph Kevin Durant Rookie Card #/99
- 2007 SPx RC #101 Autograph Jersey Kevin Durant Rookie Card #/299
- 2007 UD Sweet Shot Rookie Card Autograph /299 Kevin Durant Rookie Card #101
- 2007 Bowman Chrome /2999 Kevin Durant Rookie Card #111
- 2007 Upper Deck SP Kevin Durant Rookie Card #234
- 2007 SP Authentic RC Autograph Patch Kevin Durant Rookie Card /299 #152
- 2007 UD Black Autograph Jersey Kevin Durant Rookie Card /99 #106
- 2007 Finest Kevin Durant Rookie Card Kevin Durant RC #71
- 2007 Upper Deck Premier Autograph Jersey Kevin Durant Rookie Card /199 #101
- 2007 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Autograph Kevin Durant Rookie Card /150 #115
- 2007 SP Rookie Threads Autograph Jersey Kevin Durant Rookie Card /99 #49
- 2007 Topps Chrome Kevin Durant Rookie Card #131
Investment Outlook
It isn’t hard to imagine Kevin Durant becoming a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame someday. He’s one of the most phenomenal scorers in the game’s history. In fact, he’s as close to a lock as someone can get.
- Investment Rating: Buy (4.6 out of 5)
- Ownership Disclosure: None
- Best Kevin Durant Rookie Card: 2007 Topps Chrome Rookie Card #131
Plus, his glowing resume speaks for itself: He’s a former NBA Rookie of the Year, a former NBA MVP, a two-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, a 12-time NBA All-Star, and a six-time All-NBA First Team selection. He also won a gold medal with Team USA in the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Summer Olympics.
A healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving can also help the Brooklyn Nets in their quest for their first NBA title. Should that happen, that’s another feather in KD’s cap.
Criticism of KD
The only downside to investing in Kevin Durant is that many people look down on him for how he won his championships. He signed with the Golden State Warriors as a free agent after they defeated him and the OKC Thunder in the conference finals.
That Warriors team set an NBA record with 73 wins before KD joined the team. As a result, many people consider his championships to be phony.
Add on the fact that he has not had any significant success with Brooklyn since manufacturing a new super team with Kyrie Irving (and briefly James Harden), his stock has dropped for some people.
Regardless, KD will go down as an all-time great, so the stock of his rookie cards should rise steadily over time.