Photo via Yahoo Sports

Courtyard used keep, flip, or ship data to build a tiered ranking of the cards collectors are most likely to hold

As the NBA gears up for its 2026-27 season opener, digital collectibles platform Courtyard has unveiled a unique tiered ranking of players based on how collectors interact with their cards. Unlike traditional rankings tied to on-court performance, this list reflects the decisions collectors make when pulling cards from Courtyard’s packs—whether to keep, sell, or redeem them.

The data reveals surprising insights, such as Tyrese Maxey outranking Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, while Donovan Clingan and Ausar Thompson share a tier with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Meanwhile, Chet Holmgren and Mikal Bridges, despite their recent accolades and championship win, landed in lower tiers, highlighting the disconnect between market perception and actual talent or achievement.

The rankings suggest collectors prioritize long-term value over immediate hype, with players like Flagg frequently sold due to soaring market prices, while others like Maxey are held onto despite lower current valuations. The list underscores how digital collectibles reflect both market trends and individual collector sentiment, offering a fresh perspective ahead of the season’s start.

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