English
Español
By now, we’re all begrudgingly used to Topps’ takeover of the NBA license. The flagship series wasn’t priced terribly, and Chrome made its triumphant return—at $50/blaster. What a country.
But for all the skepticism behind our new sports card overlords, there’s one major benefit fans can’t ignore: the Topps buyback program.
Whether you’re new to the hobby or a hardwood veteran, here’s the deal: Topps offers cold hard cash (in the form of store credit) for 2025-26 Topps Chrome cards of the player who wins the MVP. The payout rates are locked in:
- Base Cards: $20
- Refractors: $40
- Numbered >/100: $100
- Numbered </100: $200
Not bad, right? The only question left is: Who is actually winning the Michael Jordan Trophy?
The Usual Suspects
The international big three—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, and Victor Wembanyama—are the obvious heavy hitters.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): The reigning MVP has the Thunder sitting pretty at first in the West with a 47-15 record. He’s averaging a cool 31.8 points per game and remains the safe money favorite at -275.
- Nikola Jokić (DEN): The three-time MVP is currently averaging a triple-double (28.8 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 10.5 APG), but the Nuggets have slid to fifth in the West.
- Victor Wembanyama (SAS): The alien has landed. At just 22, he leads the league with nearly 4 blocks per game and has dragged the Spurs to the second seed in the West.
Think one of these three will win the Michael Jordan MVP Trophy this spring? Here’s the profit you stand to make if you head to eBay to buy up singles today:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:
- Base: $10 → +$10 after buyback
- Refractor: $21 → +$19 after buyback
- >/100: $54 → +$46 after buyback
- <100: $175 → +$25 after buyback
Nikola Jokic:
- Base: $5 → +$15 after buyback
- Refractor: $10 → +$30 after buyback
- >/100: $55 → +$45 after buyback
- <100: $65 → $135 after buyback
Victor Wembanyama:
- Base: $1 → +$19 after buyback
- Refractor: $7 → +$33 after buyback
- >/100: $80 → +$20 after buyback
- <100: $150 → +$50 after buyback
The American Longshot
Enough about the favorites. We’re here to talk about the guard who could become the first American-born player to win the award since James Harden in 2018: Cade Cunningham.
Context is king. Two seasons ago, the Pistons won just 14 games. Before Cade was drafted in 2021, Detroit hadn’t cracked 40 wins since the Obama administration. Today? The Motor City sits atop the Eastern Conference at 45-14, easily qualifying for Phil Jackson’s famous “40-20 rule” (winning 40 games before losing 20), a hallmark of true title contenders.
Cade is the engine behind that turnaround, averaging 25.5 points, 9.8 assists (2nd in the NBA), and 5.8 rebounds. While he is currently sitting at +800 odds, he has one massive advantage over the field: The 65-Game Rule.
Introduced recently, players must appear in at least 65 games (playing 20+ minutes) to be eligible for MVP.
- Nikola Jokić is currently just 2 missed games away from disqualification.
- Victor Wembanyama is only 4 missed games away.
- Shai Gilgeous Alexander is only 7 missed games away.
- Cade Cunningham, meanwhile, has been an ironman, missing just six games all season.
That doesn’t make Cade’s MVP chances a safe bet by any means, but it’s certainly a kicker fans—and collectors—should be aware of when making Topps Chrome buyback decisions. If Shai, Jokić or Wemby tweak an ankle down the stretch, the MVP race is blown wide open.
For those that love an underdog, the chance to scoop up Cade’s Chrome cards for less than if/when he keeps the MotorCade humming to his first-ever MVP win is certainly appealing. For example, right now Cade’s Topps Chrome cards are sitting at the following prices:
- Base: $5 → +$15 after buyback
- Refractor: $7 → $33 after buyback
- >/100: $35 → +$65 after buyback
- <100: $75 → +$125 after buyback
The regular season isn’t over yet, and it’s going to be a race to the finish in what is shaping up to be the most unpredictable playoff stretch in years. While the NBA’s stars duke it out on the court, it’s time for you to begin collecting the league’s next MVP.
Want more tips and tricks on how to scoop up NBA cards? Head over to Mantel to learn how to start buying rookies, strategically round up key cards, and create a collection your friends—and the Internet—will be jealous of.
