The 2009-10 NBA basketball season is set to start in about five weeks from the time of this article.

Like myself, there a lot of basketball card collectors out there. In this article I will be listing the top ten NBA players to start collecting now before their rookie card prices go up in value.

Now we know that rookie cards go up and down in value depending on the scarcity of the card and the popularity and performance of the player. so, there is never a sure thing. Unless they are well established players like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, etc.

For now, I will be listing active players and the year their rookie cards came out in production.

1. LeBron James-LeBron is the face of the NBA right now and his rookie cards are already pretty high in price. LeBron's rookie cards can be found in 2003-04 basketball card sets.

2. Chris Paul-One of the best point guards in the NBA and his cards are still rising in value. So you better pick them up now. Chris Paul's nickname is "CP3" and his rookie cards can be found in 2005-06 basketball card sets.

3. Dwight Howard-The best power forward in the NBA right now and his rookie cards' value continue to rise. Howard's rookie cards can be found 2004-05 basketball card sets.

4. Dwyane Wade-"DWADE" is already an established superstar and his cards, much like LeBron's, are already up there in price. But if you have the cash, grab a few of his rookies and put them away. Wade's rookie cards can be found in 2003-04 basketball card sets.

5. Kobe Bryant-Kobe has been in the league for a long time and he has accomplished a lot with the Los Angeles Lakers. His best rookie card is his 1996-97 Topps Chrome. And it won't come cheap as it will set you back about $200. Maybe try for a few of his lwer end rookies if you can't shell out that kind of cash. Maybe his Bowmans Best card could be a option for you. Kobe's rookies can be found in 1996-97 basketball card sets.

6. Danny Granger-This guy is a prolific scoring machine and is only getting better as time goes by. He plays in Indiana for the Pacers so he doesn't get a lot of national exposure. But, believe me, you have got to get his rookie cards right now while they are still affordable. Granger's rookie cards can be found in 2005-06 basketball card sets.

7. Andrew Bynum-Playing on the same team as Kobe Bryant can only help this kid get better and better. Bynum could be the next superstar Center in the NBA so you better grab his rookies now before they head up in price. Bynum's rookie cards can be found in 2005-06 basketball card sets.

8. Deron Williams-And up and coming point guard, Williams plays in Utah for the Jazz. He and Chris Paul are always getting compared to each other. A great point guard in the making. Williams' rookie cards can be found in 2005-06 basketball card sets.

9. Kevin Durant-This kid is another great scorer that doesn't get much national attention because he plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder. But picking up his rookie cards is a great idea right now. Durant's rookie cards can be found in 2007-08 basketball card sets.

10. Brandon Roy-Another potentially great point guard in the making. And he plays on an up and coming team in the Portland Trailblazers. Roy hit some big shots for the Blazers in 2008-09 and he is getting better each year he is in the NBA. Better get his rookie cards now. You can find them in 2006-07 basketball card sets.

Well,there you go! If you are new to basketball card collecting, you can get a good start to your collection by collecting the players above. Believe me, you won't go wrong!