LUKA DONIC ROOKIE CARD GUIDE, BEST ROOKIES, MOST VALUABLE & CHECKLIST
THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE TOP LUKA DONCIC’S ROOKIE CARDS
Dallas Mavericks star guard Luka Dončić entered the National Basketball Association as the third overall pick in the 2018 draft. The Slovenian, who has been by far the best player of his draft class, goes by many nicknames, including the nostalgic Cool Hand Luka. Mostly, he is known by either his first or last name because he is such a recognizable figure in sports circles.
The basketball prodigy, who was born to parents who later divorced, followed his father to his basketball games. Dončić grew up playing a variety of sports, but due to his rapid growth spurt, the godson of retired NBA player Rasho Nesterović decided to focus on basketball.
He would sweep floors at his father’s games for KK Olimpija in Ljubljana, Slovenia. At eight years old, Luka’s skills allowed him to play with 11-year-olds, and at nine, he could stand toe to toe with the 14-year-old youth basketball players. The future NBA star was already well on his way to becoming a basketball superstar even before he was the age of 10.
His stellar professional basketball career began even before playing in the NBA. He won the Spanish basketball league Liga ACB’s championship three times in addition to a EuroLeague championship and MVP in 2018. He also was selected for the EuroLeague All-Decade Team for his excellent play with Real Madrid from 2015 to 2018.
Just 126 games into his NBA career, he has taken the basketball world by storm. After winning the 2018–19 NBA Rookie of the Year award and being named the 2019 *Sports Illustrated* Breakout Player of the Year, he made his first All-Star Game in his second season.
Now at just 21 years old, Luka is averaging 28.7 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game this season. Just six other players accomplished those numbers in their second NBA season, and all of them are Hall of Famers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, Oscar Robertson, Bob McAdoo, and Elgin Baylor.
THE TOP 15 LUKA DONCIC ROOKIE CARDS
He does have a number of prospect cards from his time in Spain, but they’re often disregarded in favor of more recent RC options. The majority of the focus is on Doncic’s cards from the 2018–19 season, as that’s when he first joined the NBA as a teenager.
1. 2018 Luka Doncic National Treasures Patch/Auto RC #127
Doncic’s 2018 National Treasures is another premium option that manages to make the list. NT cards are always prestigious, with a typical blue and white design that works well with the color of the player patch and his Mavericks jersey.
It’s a serial-numbered card, and you’ll be able to check which number you have as it’s displayed on the lower right-hand side. He’s featured doing what he does best, preparing to shoot with one foot in the air.
The card already commands a hefty price tag, but if you want an even rarer version, there’s also a horizontal NT card with just 49 copies overall.
It’s easy to see why they make Doncic’s best Rookie cards.
In fact, a National Treasures parallel — a Luka Doncic National Treasures Logoman 1/1 autographed rookie card recently sold for $4.6 million. This has been confirmed (as of this writing) as the highest-priced NBA card ever sold.
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2. 2018 Panini Opulence Luka Doncic Rookie Patch Auto Gold SSP /10 RC #145
The first card to make our list is the 2018 Panini Opulence. As the name suggests, it’s a luxury option, and the Holo Gold background and finish only help to highlight the fact. There’s an image of Doncic primed to shoot on the left-hand side, with a gold and white RC logo located beneath his feet.
The player patch takes pride of place on the middle of the card, while the on-card auto is given its own segment near the bottom.
An exceedingly rare set, the base cards are serial-numbered (79), while there are only 10 copies of the Holo Gold version. If you do manage to snag a copy, it’s only likely to increase in value, and supply doesn’t have a chance of meeting demand.
Parallels: Gold (/25), Holo Gold (/10), Platinum (1/1)
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3. 2018 Panini Select Luka Doncic Courtside Silver Prizm Rookie Card #229
Luka has three base rookie cards in 2018–19 Select NBA, and each one has a large assortment of parallels. The Premier Level version has die-cut options and the Courtside cards (and parallels) are the toughest to pull.
Tip: If you are looking to spend under $3000-$5000, a Select Concourse Silver Luka Doncic rookie card is probably not the best place to start. But not to worry, there are base options for those of us unable or unwilling to spend $5K and up on a basketball card.
The card shows Luka puling up for one of his classic jump shots.. a great looking photo with the fans in the background. In addition to the Silver, there are also base versions of the 3 tiers in Select Basketball — Concourse, Premier Level & Courtside, along with a number of exclusive short parallels of each tier.
Luka Doncic is on track to become a legend in the sport and when that happens — these cards could be worth a fortune.
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4. 2018 Panini Prizm Luka Doncic Silver Prizm Rookie Card #280
The 2018–19 Panini Prizm Luka Doncic base RC #280 is good investment for those looking for a good ROI without breaking the bank. The silver parallel however is higher end, with higher demand and a much lower Pop count than the base version.
The base edition is the most affordable, mainly due to the lack of an autograph or a serial number. Regardless, it’s still one of the better Doncic RC’s on the market, and there’s a ridiculous number of parallels, Prizms, and exclusives if you’re hoping to pick up something special. We’ll list them out below.
Despite being unsigned, recognition for the Panini brand has helped to drive up prices, making it another solid investment piece. Some of the parallels are exceedingly rare, and they can sell for exceptionally high fees.
Parallels: Silver, Green, Hyper, Pink Ice, Purple Wave, Red Ice, Red/White/Blue, Ruby Wave, White Sparkle, Red (/299), Blue (/199), Purple Ice (/149), Blue Ice (/99), Purple (/75), Orange (/49), Pink Pulsar(/42), Purple Pulsar (/35), Green Pulsar (/25), Mojo (/25), Gold (/10), Black Gold (/5), Black (1/1)
Shimmer Prizms: Blue Shimmer (/7), Light Blue Shimmer (/7), Red Shimmer (/7)
Fast Break Prizms: Base, Blue (/175), Red (/125), Purple (/75), Pink (/50), Bronze (/20), Neon Green (/5), Blue/Yellow/Green, Tiger Stripe, Red (/88), Green (/8), Nebula (1/1)
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5. 2018–19 Panini Immaculate Collection Luka Doncic RC #124 Autograph Patch /99
Another late-season release, 2018–19 Immaculate NBA is one of the top basketball brands each year. While Doncic comes as a redemption in the main RPA set, the premium card has an on-card signature and a print run of 99 copies.
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6. 2018–19 Panini Contenders Optic Luka Doncic RC Autograph #128
The 2018–19 Panini Contenders Optic Luka Doncic Rookie Card takes the same general layout as the main Contenders equivalent but with one major difference — it’s on opti-chrome. The image is also different with a more dynamic action shot. But what matters most here is the combination of on-card autograph and the Contenders connection.
Despite not being serial numbered, prices on this card are strong. It’s worth noting that while the final card is live, it was inserted in packs as a redemption.
Parallels: Blue (/99), Orange (/25), Gold (/10), Gold Vinyl (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Red (/149)
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7. 2018 Panini Flawless Auto Luka Doncic RC #39
One of the few high-end Luka Doncic rookie cards that have a horizontal frame complete with an autograph to boot.
The Panini Flawless brand continues to be one of the better return on investments in the basketball card hobby.
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8. 2018 Luka Doncic Panini Impeccable RPA /99 RC #113
One of the more attractive Luka rookie patch autographs, the 2018 Panini Impeccable release is seldom seen at auction. This is due to a low print run of 99 copies, and the handful of parallels that were produced.
The patch itself is smaller than others, but that leaves space for a great image of the player surrounded by smoke, as well as a prominent on-card auto at the bottom.
2018 Panini Impeccable Parallels: Silver (/49), Gold (/35), Holo Silver (/25), Holo Gold (/10), Platinum (1/1)
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2018–19 Panini Noir Luka Doncic RC #303/#343 Autograph Jersey #/99
2018–19 Noir Basketball offers Doncic RPA cards featuring either color or black-and-white images. They are both numbered to 99 with a tag parallel that has just five copies.
2018–19 Panini Crown Royale Kaboom Luka Doncic #23
Bringing a comic book style to the game, the Kaboom! inserts for Doncic in 2018–19 Crown Royale are anything but subtle. They also rarely surface.
Don’t let the cartoon-styled image fool you, Kaboom! cards are extremely rare falling just one per case — and these bold cards command big bucks.
2018–19 Panini Crown Royale Luka Doncic RC #226 Autograph Jersey #/199
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2018–19 Panini Contenders Draft Picks Luka Doncic RC #126 Autograph
As the first major release of the ‘18–19 collecting season, 2018–19 Contenders Draft Picks features the earliest pack-pulled Luka Doncic autograph with the RC logo.
In spite of the airbrushed image and sticker autograph, the International Ticket card is a key option for collectors.
2018–19 Panini Cornerstones Luka Doncic Autograph Jersey RC #153 /199
Like many of his rookie autographs, Doncic’s RC in 2018–19 Cornerstones Basketball is numbered to 199 copies.
This one stands out thanks to it’s unique design, the on-card autograph and a quad relic patch design.
2018–19 Donruss Optic Luka Doncic Rated Rookie Signatures RC #177
Taking the Rated Rookie design from 2018–19 Donruss Optic and adding an on-card signature, collectors may notice this is the same image used for the Kaboom! insert.
Once again, parallels see the highest values.
2018–19 Panini Cornerstones Luka Doncic Downtown #11
Found in 2018–19 Cornerstones Basketball, the Downtown insert for Doncic is pretty rare.
Falling one per case from the 20-card lineup, the SSP card gives an animated element to the young star.
2018 Luka Doncic Court King’s Heir Apparent RC #7 /199
The 2018 Heir Apparent subset contains a signed Luka card, limited to just 199 copies. As the name implies, the set features some of the hottest rookies, and none have taken to the throne as well as Doncic.
It has one of the best images of the player, as he takes a moment with a basketball in one hand. The card is finished with gold trim, and there’s a lighter patch at the bottom to make way for an on-card autograph. It’s somewhat undervalued in comparison to the others, making for a great investment piece.
2018 Panini Heir Apparent Parallels: Jade, Ruby (/49), Sapphire (/25), Masterpiece (1/1)
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2018–19 Panini Dominion Luka Doncic Autograph Jersey RC #159 /199
Although it is just one of several on-card autographs for Doncic, 2018–19 Dominion NBA features the earliest rookie patch autograph edition that is hard-signed.
Rarity again sits at 199 copies.
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2018 Donruss Optic Luka Doncic Rated Rookie Shock RC #177
A solid Luka rookie card that has a wide range of value depending on which parallel you select.
The 2018 Panini Optic base Rated Rookie card is ideal for collectors looking to spend as little coin as possible while the card shown above (Shock Parallel) is a great option for moderate to mid-level spenders.
PARALLEL CARDS: Holo, Blue Velocity, Hyper Pink, Purple, Shock, Orange /199, Lime Green /149, Red /99, Pink Velocity /79, Blue /49, Black Velocity /39, Pink /25, Purple Stars FOTL /13, Gold /10, Green /5, Black 1/1, Gold Vinyl 1/1
CHOICE PARALLELS: Dragon, Red /88, Black Gold /8, Nebula 1/1
FAST BREAK PARALLELS: Holo, Purple /95, Red /85, Blue /50, Pink /20, Gold /10, Black 1/1.
PANINI REWARDS PRIZMS: White Sparkle
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2018 Luka Doncic Panini Donruss RC #177
Doncic’s Rated Rookie cards are supposed to be a budget option, but PSA 10 copies of the colored parallels are already selling for four figures. This makes it one of the cheaper Doncic cards overall, but still expensive compared to the norm.
The base version features Doncic dribbling, and there’s also a signed edition with the same card number (#177).
Rated Rookie Parallels: Holo, Blue Velocity, Hyper Pink, Purple, Shock (Target Mega Box), Orange (/199), Lime Green (/149), Red (/99), Pink Velocity (/79), Blue (/49), Black Velocity (/39), Pink (/25), Purple Stars FOTL (/13), Gold (/10), Green (/5), Black (1/1), Gold Vinyl (1/1) Dragon, Red (/88), Black Gold (/8), Nebula (1/1)
Fast Break Parallels: Holo, Purple (/95), Red (/85), Blue (/50), Pink (/20), Gold (/10), Black (1/1)
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THE 5 MOST EXPENSIVE LUKA DONCIC ROOKIE CARDS
Luka Doncic’s card values have soared over the last few years, and other than the Jordan Fleer rookie card may have the top ROI in the hobby over that time frame.
The Luka Doncic National Treasures Logoman sold for $4.6 million dollars in February of 2021 and is considered the most expensive modern card sold to date.
Here are the five most expensive Luka Doncic basketball cards.
THE 6 HIGHEST PRICED LUKA DONCIC ROOKIE CARDS SOLD TO DATE
It’s not every day when a young player comes out of nowhere to be that next big thing in the NBA. That’s how it is for Luka Doncic ever since he was drafted during the 2018–19 season. No one expected this Slovenian kid to exceed expectations and not only become the face of the Dallas Mavericks, but of the entire league as well.
Now in his third season, Doncic is building up his legacy at a young age. At only 21 years old, he has managed to rack up quite a list of accomplishments at a faster pace than expected. As of the present, the Mavericks’ cornerstone is averaging ridiculous numbers — 28.3 points, 9.4 assists, and 10.2 rebounds a game. He’s also the youngest player in playoff history to debut with a triple-double, which he is almost doing on a nightly basis.
All those things are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Doncic can do on the court. When it comes to his cards, the story is still pretty much the same. The Young Goat’s cards, especially those that were released during his rookie season, have blown up and skyrocketed to insane price levels.
Shown below are the six Luka Doncic cards that were sold at craziest & highest prices in recent memory.
6. Luka Doncic 2018–19 National Treasures 1/1 Rookie Auto BGS 9.5
A card signed by a rookie will always command a certain price on the market. Now, just imagine if that rookie is Luka Doncic and he gets to sign a One of One card that’s graded with a BGS 9.5 score. The result is this unique 2018–19 National Treasures Rookie Auto card signed by Doncic himself and sold at $69,999 last November 22, 2020.
Originating from Seoul, South Korea, the card itself is a beauty to behold at. Its clean design showcases Doncic’s profile at the side and his signature front and center. It’s no wonder someone nabbed it last year at that kind of price.
5. 2018–19 Prizm Cracked Ice Blue /99 PSA 10
Any Prizm rookie card is a high-coveted item, especially if it features a generational talent like Doncic. The card’s intricate cracked ice design and its limited print run to 99 copies make it more in demand among enthusiasts.
And if that’s not enough, the slab’s PSA 10 grade condition pushes the card’s auction price to a whopping $70,100. With the way Doncic is playing, you can be sure that the price is worth every penny to the lucky guy who purchased it.
4. 2018 Prizm Signatures Gold Prizm Rookie Auto 6/10 BGS 9.5
Having an item adorned in gold surely is something to be proud of. That’s the same case for one fortunate fan after splurging out $125,988 for this autographed rookie card of Luka Doncic. Numbered to 10, this Prizm features a stickered-autograph of the young star himself. Its gem mint BGS 9.5 condition further solidifies the card’s value in the market.
Handled by PWCC, this card was auctioned last November 18, 2020. For sure, this kind of gold will surely retain its value in the years to come. This is true, especially if Doncic wins either a ring or an MVP trophy during his career.
3. 2018–19 National Treasures Rookie Patch Auto /99 BGS 9
Coming at second is this marvelous rookie patch auto card from the 2018–19 National Treasures set. Considered as one of the top brands produced by Panini, this beauty exhibits a massive piece of Doncic’s jersey embedded within it. At the bottom is his signature while the right side of the card displays the rookie while going for a jumper.
Thick jersey cards are commonly known to possess a grade lower than their standard counterparts. In this case, it’s a wonder for this Doncic RPA to attain a BGS 9 grade, which pushes the card price to reach $299,999 when it was sold last November 25, 2020. With the amount of money it commands, one can be sure that this card will serve as the highlight of any collection.
2. Luka Doncic 2018–19 Contenders Premium Gold Rookie Auto /10 BGS 9.5
Who would’ve thought that a brand like Contenders would come with one of the most expensive Luka Doncic card sold in recent memory? Well, take a look at it carefully and it’s easy to understand why. For one, This is the only one of the 10 copies made by Panini and it’s signed on-card by Doncic himself.
The card’s classic gold design plays well with Doncic’s profile. Plus, its BGS 9.5 gem mint condition locks and increases the price to a staggering $750,000. It also has a low population in Beckett’s registry, making this item a rare piece to own.
Although the prices of these cards may seem so high at the moment, do keep in mind that Doncic is just in the third year of his young career. With the way he’s playing, it’s a given that these cards will go nowhere but up in the coming years.
1. 2018–19 NATIONAL TREASURES LUKA DONCIC LOGOMAN 1/1 RPA
A Luka Doncic National Treasures Auto Logoman 1/1 autographed rookie card sold for $4.6 million according to collector Bolillo Lajan San. Multiple outlets, including The Dallas Morning News, said that it was reportedly the highest price paid for a basketball card.
This came just weeks after Doncic’s limited edition 2018 Panini Gold Prizm card sold in an auction for $799,500.
Please note that due to the volatility in card values, these can change. If you find a Luka rookie card that should be on this list but is not leave a comment, and our editors will fact check and update.
MOST POPULAR LUKA DONCIC ROOKIE CARDS
This tier includes cards from the most popular sets across both retail and hobby formats. Typically easy to buy or sell when needed. Parallels like Prizm Silver and Optic Holo are among the most popular variations.
- Mosaic #68: Not yet its own release in 2018, Mosaic is a strong but loud product with a variety of color-based parallels to chase. Shop now >
- Optic #177: A step down from Prizm, Optic is a chrome upgrade to Donruss’ Value rookie. Along with a clean base card, Optic features a strong lineup of inserts and parallels, including the incredibly popular short-printed Optic Holo. Shop now >
- Prizm #280: Along with being the flagship brand for most modern rookies, the Dončić Prizm might be the iconic rookie from the 2018 class. Fast Break and Cracked Ice parallels are extremely popular while the Prizm Silver is the parallel for modern cards. Shop now >
Select #25: It’s not quite at the level of Optic or Prizm, but Select’s popularity is rising thanks to unique designs, three levels of rookies to chase and low-numbered die-cuts. Shop now >
LUKA DONCIC VALUE ROOKIE CARDS:
The Value Tier Includes cards with high print runs or lower-quality cardstock. A good fit for new collectors or those on a limited budget.
- Hoops #268: This set provides the first look at rookies in their NBA uniforms, but also includes a fantastic lineup of inserts if base cards aren’t your preference. Shop now >
- Donruss #177: A classic and clean look, Donruss is arguably the most popular among the Value tier. Watch for low-numbered Laser or Press Proof parallels. Show now >
- Threads #141: Collectors can chase the Association, Icon and Statement image variations or hunt for the Dazzle parallels, which add quite a bit of pop to the design. Shop now >
- Status #122: Despite being in the Value tier, Status is a favorite among many collectors because of its unique design and parallels. Die-cuts are legit chase cards that can sell for incredible value on the secondary market if you’re lucky enough to pull one. Shop now >
THE MOST RARE & EXCLUSIVE LUKA DONCIC ROOKIE CARDS:
We won’t spend much time here because this category is likely out of reach for most collectors due to price, but they are still fun to look at.
Sets like Flawless, Immaculate, Impeccable and National Treasures typically feature visually stunning artwork and low-numbered cards.
This is also where you’ll find Panini’s most impressive patches paired with high-quality on-card autographs. Don’t worry if this tier is too pricey as there’s plenty of options in other categories that could be perfect for your collection.
UNIQUE LUKA DONCIC ROOKIE CARDS:
This tier Includes cards with lower print runs and cards from hobby-only products. Usually higher-quality cards than the Value or Popular Tiers, though not necessarily more popular or easier to buy or sell.
- Crown Royale #63: While some collectors prefer vertical rookies compared to Crown Royale’s horizontal ones, the set is still a favorite among many collectors for its stunning die-cuts and Cracked Ice parallels. The ultra-rare Kaboom! set is also featured here for 2018. Shop now >
- Court Kings #117: Incredible artwork paired with multiple levels of rookies to chase has Court Kings near the top of the 2018 releases for many. Though not quite as popular as Crown Royale’s Kaboom! set, Court Kings’ Aurora is one of the best from 2018. Shop now >
- Revolution #128: Arguably the most unique card set every year, Revolution has an incredibly impressive lineup of parallels ranging from Astro and Impact to the ultra-rare Galactic. Revolution isn’t for everyone, but its parallels offer plenty to chase. Shop now >
THE MOST AFFORDABLE LUKA DONCIC ROOKIE CARDS
Luka Doncic Rookie Card Checklist
- 2016 Upper Deck Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Rainbow Luka Doncic RC #23
- 2018 Panini Impeccable RPA Luka Doncic RC /99 #113
- 2018 Absolute Memorabilia Luka Doncic RC #58
- 2018 Certified Luka Doncic RC #153
- 2018 Panini Status Luka Doncic RC #122
- 2018 Select Zebra Prizm Premier Level Luka Doncic RC #122
- 2018 Crown Royale Luka Doncic RC #63
- 2018 Immaculate Collection RPA Luka Doncic RC /99 #124
- 2018 Donruss Rated Rookie Luka Doncic RC #177
- 2018 Select Luka Doncic RC #25
- 2018 Panini Cornerstones Auto Quad Mem /199 Luka Doncic RC #153
- 2018 Court Kings Luka Doncic RC #117
- 2018 Panini Opulence Luka Doncic RC #145
- 2018 Panini Spectra Luka Doncic RC #108
- 2018 Panini Threads Luka Doncic RC #101
- 2018 Panini Encased Auto Luka Doncic RC /75 #108
- 2018 Panini Contenders Autograph Luka Doncic RC #122
- 2018 Panini Flawless Luka Doncic RC /20 #81
- 2018 Panini Dominion Luka Doncic RC /199 #126
- 2018 Panini Contenders Draft Picks Autograph Luka Doncic RC #126
- 2018 Panini Contenders Optic Autograph Luka Doncic RC #128
- 2018 Panini Chronicles Luka Doncic RC #71
- 2018 Panini Prizm Luka Doncic RC #280
- 2018 Panini National Treasures RPA Luka Doncic RC /99 #127
- 2018 Panini Impeccable RPA Luka Doncic RC /99 #113
- 2018 Panini Noir Luka Doncic RC /85 #169
- 2018 NBA Hoops Luka Doncic RC #268
- 2018 Donruss Next Day Auto Luka Doncic RC #26
- 2018 Panini Revolution Galactic SSP Luka Doncic RC #128
- 2018 Panini Obsidian Luka Doncic RC #91
- 2018 Panini Opulence Luka Doncic RC /39 #88
- 2018 Panini Contenders Optic ’81 Tribute Luka Doncic RC
- 2018–19 Donruss Optic Signature Series Choice Auto Luka Doncic RC #LD
- 2018 Panini Prizm Mosaic Luka Doncic RC #68
- 2018 Panini Revolution Luka Doncic RC #128
- 2018 Panini Dominion Regal Platinum Luka Doncic RC #40
- 2018 Panini Obsidian Electric Etch Yellow Luka Doncic RC #11
- 2018 Panini Spectra Auto Luka Doncic RC /175 #6
- 2018 Panini Cornerstones Downtown Luka Doncic RC #11
- 2018 Immaculate Luka Doncic Trae Young Rookie Dual Auto /49 RC #CS
- 2018 Chronicles Titanium Draft Year Prizm SSP /18 Luka Doncic RC #450
- 2018 Panini Chronicles XR Jumbo Luka Doncic RC #10
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