2003-04 Topps Contemporary Collection Team Tribute Triples Red #PMO Gary Payton/Karl Malone/Shaquille O’Neal

The 19-year Hall of Fame NBA career Karl Malone delivered to fans began in 1985 with the Utah Jazz, wrapping up after one year in Los Angeles with the Lakers in 2004. Along the way, the 14-time All-Star became one of the most decorated power forwards the game has ever seen, winning two Most Valuable Player awards (1997, 1999). And his cards are still a must-have for collectors.

Karl Malone

A second-team All-American in 1985, Malone was the 13th overall pick in the ’85 draft out of Louisiana Tech. The “Mail Man” hit the ground running as a rookie averaging 14.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Malone made first-team All-Rookie, finishing third in ROY voting behind runner-up Xavier McDaniel and winner Patrick Ewing.

For the next 15 years, Malone received regular season MVP votes showcasing his place and longevity in the game. The other thing that started in Year 2, 16 consecutive seasons averaging 20 or more points per game and nine consecutive seasons averaging 10 or more rebounds per game.

In addition to being part of the NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary teams, Malone was a two-time US Olympic Gold Medal winner (1992, 1996) and has been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice; once as a member of the 1992 US Olympic team and in 2010 for his NBA career.

2000s Karl Malone Basketball Cards

2000-01 Malone Cards

Upper Deck releases dominate the top 10 Malone cards from 2000-01 sets in terms of secondary market values. A commonality, of the 10, seven are serial numbered cards. One of the more interesting is 2000-01 SP Game Floor Authentic Floor Combos #C17 Michael Jordan/Karl Malone /100. The 30-card set took pieces of NBA hardwood paired with the players who dominate on the court. If true to the intention, as much as it is an individual artifact for two Hall of Famers, for fans of the Bulls and Jazz, it is a roster memorabilia piece as well.

The most valuable card from the year with pricing set from the Beckett Online Price Guide (OPG) is the 2000-01 Upper Deck Pros and Prospects Signature Jerseys Level 2 #KM2 Karl Malone. Mint values soar around $2,000. The #KM1 variation (pictured) in mint condition can be found over $100.

2001-02 Malone Cards

Malone collectors seeking out the best of the best from the ’01-02 releases can save a few bucks in this vertical category – pricing on the high-end drops way down. There is also a better assortment of manufacturers among the more valuable Malone cards for this season with Upper Deck, Topps, and Ultra filling in the top three respectively.

Each of the six more valuable cards from this season are serial numbered from 25 to 50 making the chase a bit harder. Of Malone’s most valuable cards from the year, that are not serial numbered, the 2001-02 Upper Deck Game Jerseys Numbers #KMP Karl Malone is in the top 10 at No. 7 with mint values around $100.

The most valuable, and very hard to find, is the 2001-02 Upper Deck Pros and Prospects Alley-Oop Team-Ups Gold #JSKM John Stockton/Karl Malone /25. It is easier to find a Kobe Bryant/Kevin Garnett version on secondary platforms than the Stockton/Malone. Mint values for the Stockton/Malone range from $250 to $300.

Although there are only 50 2001-02 Topps Chrome Refractors Black Border #120 Karl Malone cards out there, there are a handful on secondary sales platforms to be had for collectors. Refractors Black Border #120 is second on this list for the year in value, mint pricing is around $200, but expect a bigger price tag online.

2002-03 Malone Cards

Malone’s second-to-last year playing in the NBA, pricing for top cards continue to drop rapidly. While the top 10 cards for this year in terms of value vary between Topps, Upper Deck, and Fleer, each of the 10 is serial numbered, only the 2002-03 Finest Refractors Gold #41 Karl Malone /25 breaches $100 mint. The rest can be added to your PC for $80 or less per the OPG.

The pictured 2002-03 Finest Refractors #41 Karl Malone /250 starts around $15 but expect higher price tags on platforms like eBay.

A cool one from this year: 2002-03 SP Game Used Authentic Fabrics Triple #5 Karl Malone/John Stockton/Andrei Kirilenko /25 (mint $80).

Similar to the SP Game Used Authentic Fabrics Triple #5 but far less expensive ($15-20 mint) is the 2002-03 Upper Deck Honor Roll Triple Warm-Ups #5 John Stockton/Karl Malone/Andrei Kirilenko.

2003-04 Malone Cards

The 2003-04 season was the last run for Malone in the NBA, now with the Los Angeles Lakers. Seeing Malone in a new uni was fun for some collectors and gave LA fans a new player to add to their PC.

The top five Malone value cards in the OPG are all serial numbered (25, 35, 68, 99, 100). A break at the top comes thanks to Fleer/Skybox with 2003-04 E-X Essential Credentials Future #35 Karl Malone /68 ($400 mint).

The third most valuable from this year, Topps’ Chrome Refractors Gold #32 Karl Malone /99. Mint values can be found around $300. There are two variations of the card: Chrome Refractors Black #32 /500 and the base Chrome Refractors #32.