Best Magic Johnson Rookie Cards

Step right up to the ultimate treasure trove for sports card aficionados! We’re shining a dazzling spotlight on the cards of a basketball legend – the Magic Johnson Rookie Cards, a true slam dunk for any collector’s dream lineup. Magic Johnson, with his electrifying smile and game-changing playmaking, redefined what it means to be a point guard, captivating fans and rewriting history with each game.

Magic won five NBA championships all with the LA Lakers, won three NBA MVP, three NBA Finals MVP, and was a twelve-time NBA All-Star.

Magic Johnson 2024

The Magic Johnson Rookie Cards are not just pieces of cardboard; they’re your VIP pass to the golden era of basketball. As Magic’s legacy continues to inspire new generations and his contributions to the game are celebrated, the value and demand for his rookie cards have soared. Whether you’re a long-time fan reliving the Showtime Lakers’ glory days or a new collector aiming to snag a piece of basketball royalty, the Magic Johnson Rookie Cards offer a chance to own a piece of the magic.

Magic Johnson Rookie Cards

Here we’re going to look at the top Magic Johnson rookie card options. As you’ll see, this set

1980-81 Topps Larry Bird RC #34 / Julius Erving #174 / Magic Johnson RC #139

What if I told you that Magic Johnson’s best rookie card was also Larry Bird’s rookie card?

The two best players of their generation were linked all the way through college as rivals and spent their careers as the rival of the 80s – a rival which spawned a tremendous friendship.

This card has both a rookie Magic, rookie Bird, and it has Dr J on it too, with Julius Erving as the scoring leader.

When the card initially came out, it actually wasn’t really that popular. Which is pretty crazy to think about.

However, since then collectors have noted how special the card actually is. These days, it’s one of the most expensive NBA cards out there.

A pristine copy sold in September 2018 $125,200. A PSA 9 will sell for thousands of dollars, while even an 8 grade can go for over $1,000.

It’s a pretty hard card to come across in good condition too, so you’ll have to pay for a top grade.

John Long/Magic Johnson All-Star/Ron Boone

As you can see, this Topps set is largely mini cards that you can tear apart.

While John Long and Ron Boone were fine players in their time, they’re definitely not Bird and Dr J… So, as you can imagine, this card isn’t as revered as the previous card we’ve looked at.

Also, strangely enough on the back of Magic’s card there isn’t any stats or anything like that… It’s actually the basketball checklist.

Weird…

You you imagine that happening these days with the number one draft pick who is also an All-Star in his fist year?!

Unheard of. Shows how the hobby has grown and matured since the 80s.

Other Magic Johnson Cards and Memorabilia

As you can imagine, a player like Magic Johnson there’s a lot of great cards an memorabilia from his career and the years since his playing days ended.

How much is a Magic Johnson rookie card worth?

When looking at the price of a Magic Johnson rookie card, it really depends on the price and the card. If you are looking to buy a highly graded (PSA 10) Magic rookie with Larry Bird, you could pay over $100,000.

Which means it’s right up there as one of the premier cards in the hobby. 

Granted, you can buy the card with a lower grade or other cards from Magic’s early years for a fraction of the price.

So there’s an option for any collector. You don’t need to have a spare 100k laying around to make it happen!

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Author

  • Vince

    I'm a big time sports nerd, with soccer being my first true love. I've been collecting sports cards since I was a little kid, and now... well, not much has changed, but I write about it... and I have facial hair.

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