The Ultimate Guide to Kevin Durant Basketball Cards
Summary & Career Highlights
Rookie Year: 2007-08
Iconic Rookie Card: 2007-08 Topps #2
Highest Public Sale: 2007-08 Exquisite Collection #94 Rookie Parallel Patch Auto for $780k with Goldin Auctions in March 2021
Similar Career Players: Kevin Garnett, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, Larry Bird, Bob Pettit, LeBron James
Players with Similar Cards to Check Out: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Al Horford, Joakin Noah, Marc Gasol, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, James Harden
Career Highlights
2x NBA Champion (2016-17m 2017-18)
MVP (2013-14)
4x Scoring Champion
Rookie of the Year (2007-08)
11x All-NBA (6 First Team, 5 Second Team)
15x All Star
2x NBA Finals MVP
Iconic Cards
Durant entered the league during the 2007-08 season when both Upper Deck and Topps held NBA licenses, giving collectors something most modern players don't have: rookie cards spread across two manufacturers and more than 30 different releases. What makes his catalog even more interesting is that Upper Deck locked up an exclusive autograph and memorabilia deal with the second overall pick, which means only Upper Deck products carry his rookie autographs and patch cards. Topps could put Durant in their sets, but not his signature. That split created a collecting landscape where his most accessible cards live in the Topps ecosystem while his premium rookie patch autos and on-card signatures sit exclusively with Upper Deck.
The cards selected here reflect that dynamic. Upper Deck's Exquisite RPA anchors the high end as the undisputed king of his catalog, while Topps Chrome and flagship Topps serve as the entry points most collectors encounter first. You'll notice the list stretches beyond rookie year into his 2012-13 Prizm debut and the original Kaboom insert, recognizing that a player's iconic cards don't always stop at year one. Across these selections, a few themes emerge: canvas and chrome textures, deep parallel structures with multiple 1/1 chase cards, redemption-only releases that limit future supply, and a Seattle SuperSonics connection that adds a layer of franchise nostalgia you won't find with most active players. Collecting Durant is collecting a bridge between the Upper Deck era and the modern Panini landscape, and his cards tell that story as well as any player in the hobby.
Icon Key
Prospective Card Cost:
💰 - Under $250
💰💰- Under $1,000
💰💰💰- Under $5,000
💰💰💰💰- Under $15,000
💰💰💰💰💰- Over $15,000
Rarity:
💎 - Common & High Serial Number
💎💎- Serial Numbered or Pop Under 200
💎💎💎 - Serial Numbered or Pop Under 100
💎💎💎💎 - Serial Number or Pop Under 50
💎💎💎💎💎 - Does this card even exist? Serial Number or Pop under 10
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2006-07 Topps Finest
#102 Gold Refractor /50
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Durant's first licensed card appearance came as an extended rookie card (XRC) in 2006-07 Topps Finest, the release before his rookie year. Durant's XRC was distributed entirely through redemptions rather than being pack-issued which means any parallels that aren't already in circulation, likely won't be with expired redemptions. On top of his base card /539, Durant's XRC was also issued in the following parallels: refractor /399, blue /299, green /199, black /99, gold /50, and X-Fractor /25, up to a Superfractor 1/1 that has never surfaced publicly.
2007 Upper Deck Chronology
#159 Auto /99
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: Upper Deck Chronology gave us one of Durant's earliest on-card rookie autographs. The product featured three different Durant autographs in its checklist: #104 serial numbered to just 25 copies, while both #135 and #159 were numbered to 99. All three were also available in gold parallel versions limited to 10 copies each. What sets Chronology apart is its canvas card stock, a more durable material than standard cardboard that gives these cards a distinct texture and is less condition sensitive than his other rookie autographs.
2007-08 Bowman Chrome
#111 /2999
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰-💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: Durant's Bowman Chrome rookie arrived when Bowman was still known primarily for its rookie cards rather than the prospect-focused brand it became. Released within "Bowman Basketball," the base chrome was serial numbered to 2999, a relatively high print run for the era but still providing an element of scarcity. The card was also released with Bronze /399, Refractor /299, Black /199, Gold /99, X-Fractor /50, and a Superfractor 1/1 parallels.
2007-08 Exquisite Collection
#94 RPA /99
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: The 2007-08 Exquisite RPA sits at the top of Durant's cardboard hierarchy and holds his highest recorded sale. Upper Deck's Exquisite Collection established the rookie patch auto format that dominates high-end basketball releases today, and Durant's RPA delivers everything collectors expect: an on-card autograph, a substantial jersey patch, and serial numbering to 99 copies. A gold parallel limited to 35 exists for those chasing more scarcity.
2007-08 Exquisite Collection
#LLKD Limited Logos /50
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Limited Logos was Exquisite's premium patch insert featuring oversized team logo patches. Durant has only two Limited Logos cards in his entire catalog with Upper Deck having lost its NBA license after the 2009-10 season which put an end the Exquisite basketball era. This card is the only Limited Logo depicting Durant in a Seattle SuperSonics jersey, making it a unique combination piece for collectors of both Durant and the departed franchise.
2007-08 SP Authentic
#152 Auto /399
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: SP Authentic's rookie autographs have been a flagship card since Upper Deck introduced it in the 1990s. All rookies featured in the 2007-08 release had their base autographs serial numbered to 399 copies, with a patch autograph parallel serial numbered to 299 copies. The set also included Durant in the Authentic Profiles and Destination Stardom insert sets for collectors looking to pick up a Durant SP Authentic rookie at a lower price point.
2007-08 SPx
#101 Auto /299
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: SPx brought a distinctly different aesthetic to Durant's rookie card offerings. Heavy foil usage, dark imagery, and an almost grungy visual feel that stands apart from cleaner designs of the era. The base card features a three-letter jersey window and sticker autograph, serial numbered to 299. Two colored parallels exist: Radiance /25 with a green background and Spectrum /10 with a blue background. If you're drawn to bold, foil-heavy card designs rather than minimalist approaches, SPx offers one of the most visually distinct Durant rookies available.
2007-08 Topps
#2
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: Durant's flagship Topps rookie features a 50th Anniversary Topps Basketball logo paying tribute to the 1957-58 set debut that included Bill Russell's iconic rookie. Look closely at the lower left corner for a subtle "RC" icon that's easy to miss on first glance. The black borders on this set make it notoriously difficult to grade with the base set having a gem rate hovering around 2%. If you're looking for something a little bit brighter, Durant was also featured in a retail only 14 card 2007 NBA Draft release of the set that used the same image on a white background instead black.
2007-08 Topps Chrome
#131 Refractor /1499
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: Durant's first appearance in the iconic Topps Chrome brand and arguably his most recognizable card. His base card and refractor /1499 are most accessible to collectors, but 2007-08 Topps Chrome also had orange /199, and white /99 parallels for collectors valuing rarity to chase. The white refractor holds the distinction of being Durant's highest-selling non-Exquisite card.
2007-08 Topps Finest
#71 Blue Refractor /299
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: While Durant's first Topps Finest card appeared in 2006-07 with his XRC, this 2007-08 release marks his first pack-issued Finest card and is considered a rookie card. One distinctive feature: the set includes two different 1/1 variations: A White X-Fractor and a Superfractor. That was unusual for cards from this era, even for products with robust parallel structures. The full rainbow includes base refractors, blue /199, green /149, black /75, gold /25, and X-Fractor /15 and the two previously mentioned 1/1s.
2007-08 Topps Triple Threads
#135 /99
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: 2007-08 Triple Threads basketball was the product's second release and represented one of Topps' first ventures into ultra-premium products. Base cards were serial numbered to just 99 copies, with a parallel list that included Sepia /66, Emerald /33, Gold /3, and Sapphire 1/1. There are less than 200 total copies of Durant's Triple Threads cards across all versions. What's ironic is that Triple Threads built its reputation on elaborate patch autograph combinations, yet Durant autographs were included in the set.
2007-08 Ultimate Collection
#115 Auto /150
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎
About the Card: Ultimate Collection sat just below Exquisite in Upper Deck's premium hierarchy, offering high-end cards at a more accessible tier. Durant's base autograph was serial numbered to 150, with Gold /50 and Foil /10 parallels also in the checklist. The card features one of the stronger images from Durant's rookie releases, a dynamic shot of him leaping through the air for a dunk. The design makes effective use of white space alongside foil accents for the autograph box and Ultimate branding.
2012-13 Panini Prizm
#2 USA Basketball Green Prizm
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰-💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: The debut Prizm release included a USA Basketball insert set honoring the 2012 London Olympic gold medal team of which Durant has been a central figure. His USA card was released in Silver Prizm, Green, and Gold /10 parallels. While the Silver and Green aren't serial numbered, they have surprisingly low population counts. From a pricing standpoint, this card tends to trade in line with his base Prizm from the same set. Durant has publicly stated that he wants to go into the Hall of Fame in his USA basketball jersey, this is an important card to consider.
2012-13 Panini Prizm
#35 Silver Prizm
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: Durant's first appearance in what would become the defining modern basketball set. The inaugural 2012-13 Prizm release is one of the most collected sets of the Panini era, and Durant's card depicts him during his Oklahoma City Thunder tenure leading into his 2014 MVP season. While this isn't a rookie card, first-year Prizm appearances carry significant weight for established stars given the set's importance to modern collecting. The silver prizm parallel offers the signature chromium refractor look that made the brand iconic.
2013-14 Panini Innovation
Kaboom!
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Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: The 'Kaboom!' insert from 2013-14 Panini Innovation introduced the now-iconic comic book art style to basketball cards and would go on to be one of Panini's most recognizable cards. Although Innovation lasted only two years, Kaboom found its way into other Panini products and eventually expanded into football based on its basketball success. The original design featured a distinct manga-style illustration compared to later iterations. Love them or not, Kabooms have become a hobby fixture, and Durant's card from this debut marks an important note in his catalog.
A Few of My Favorites
These five cards I've selected for the Favorites here aren't about market value or investment potential, they're notable cards that could have, but didn't make the cut. From the cinematic design of Notable Nicknames to the debut of Flawless and the origins of Downtown, these selections reward collectors who pay attention to the details: a bold autograph placement, a first-year release, or a design choice that just works. They capture Durant across eras and aesthetics, connecting his journey from the final days of Exquisite through Panini's modern premium brands.
2008-09 Upper Deck Exquisite
#LL-KD Limited Logos
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Why It's a Favorite: This is Durant's second and final Limited Logos appearance with Upper Deck losing their NBA license after 2009-10, officially ending the Exquisite era. While the previous year's Limited Logos showed Durant in a Sonics uniform, this one captures his first and only OKC Thunder appearance. The card returns to the traditional landscape orientation that Limited Logos was known for, giving it a more classic feel compared to the previous year's portrait layout.
2012-13 Panini National Treasures
#13 Notable Nicknames /49
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Why It's a Favorite: This card looks like it belongs on a movie poster. The first year of National Treasures (still under Panini's "Playoff" brand) produced some beautiful designs, and Notable Nicknames stands out with its elegant use of white space and understated typography. Durant's bold on-card autograph anchors the design without competing with it. No parallels exist for this card and there are only /49 copies. If you like the aesthetic but want a more affordable option, Durant's card from the base checklist (/99) follows a similar design philosophy.
2012-13 Panini Flawless
#2 Patches Autographs /25
Why It's a Favorite: The debut year of Flawless introduced what would become one of Panini's premier brands, and Durant's patch autograph from this release is one of my favorites among his early Panini premium cards. Here's an uncommon opinion: I think the base version limited to 25 copies actually looks better than its colored parallels (Gold /10, Emerald /5, Platinum 1/1). The clean design lets the patch and autograph do the work. These can be acquired for less than you might expect, but there's also a non-auto version if you're working with a tighter budget.
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2016-17 Optic
#137 Holo
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Why It's a Favorite: Optic's first year gave us the chromium version of Donruss basketball, and is memorable for a pretty strong rookie class (Jaylen Brown, Jamal Murray, and Ben Simmons). The set marked the start of Panini's exploding number of parallels when they released 13 different versions to chase. Notable parallels include the Optic Holo, White Sparkle, Red /99, Gold /10, Gold Vinyl 1/1, and Black 1/1. Note that there's also an "Optic Preview" version distributed through the regular Donruss release to promote the new set, and it's actually scarcer than anything in the official Optic release.
2016-17 Studio
#13 From Downtown
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Why It's a Favorite: Before it became simply "Downtown," this case hit debuted as "From Downtown" in 2016-17 Studio. The illustrated city background depicts a cartoon version of San Francisco/Oakland complete with hills and trolleys that pay homage to Durant's Warriors era. Durant is centered rising up for a jump shot, and the comic-style artwork gives it a distinctly different feel your typical card. Market-wise, Durant trails the "Big Three" in this set (LeBron, Kobe, Curry), but that's a silver lining for collectors looking to pick up a copy from a more attainable price point.
Additional Resources
Kevin Durant Basketball Reference
A go-to source for Durant's complete NBA stats, milestones, and award history. Helpful for tracking the on-court accomplishments that often drive card value.Card Ladder Player Index – Kevin Durant
Explore historical pricing trends, recent sales, and collector sentiment for Durant's cards tracked on the Ladder. A great tool for understanding market performance across sets and grades.PSA Set Registry – Kevin Durant Basic Set
Get a curated list of Durant's base cards recognized by PSA’s Registry. It’s a useful framework for collectors building a focused, registry-worthy PC.Trading Card Database (TCDB) – Kevin Durant
Searchable checklist of every Kevin Durant basketball card, including base, parallels, inserts, and oddballs. Ideal for set collectors or anyone looking to complete a player run.
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