
Shawn Kemp
1996-97 • Topps
#50
The 1996-97 Topps Season's Best Sticky Fingers subset features Gary Payton on card #16, capturing the Seattle SuperSonics star in a distinctive collector series.
1996-97 • Topps • Season's Best • Sticky Fingers
National Basketball Association • Seattle SuperSonics
Sold — last sale $49.99 (PSA 9) on Jun 10, 2026. Check back — sellers may relist this card.
Card #16 features Gary Payton, the dynamic point guard who defined the Seattle SuperSonics' aggressive playstyle during the mid-1990s. This release deviates from standard Topps designs, offering collectors a distinct alternative that highlights Payton's tenure with the Sonics. By focusing on specific thematic treatments, the series provides a targeted collecting experience for enthusiasts of the era. Gary Payton's inclusion on card #16 makes this piece a focal point for those building complete subset collections or focusing on Seattle SuperSonics memorabilia. As a product of the 1996-97 season, this card represents a pivotal time in NBA history, when the league was experiencing rapid growth and global expansion. The SuperSonics were a competitive force, and Payton's leadership was central to their success. For investors and hobbyists alike, this card serves as a tangible piece of that basketball heritage. Whether you are looking to complete a set of Sticky Fingers cards or add a memorable SuperSonics card to your portfolio, this product provides access to a key component of 1990s basketball card collecting. The distinct nature of the subset ensures that it stands out in any display, appealing to those who appreciate both the player's legacy and the card's unique design context.
We'll pre-fill the product details from this catalog entry, so your listing lands on this exact page. Just add photos of your copy, pick its condition, and set your price.
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
The core identity of the card within the set.
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Production details and format-specific attributes.
Material
Card Stock
Language
English
See how many public collections currently include this card.
0 collectors have this card
Gary Payton's 1996-97 Topps Season's Best insert commands a premium over his base cards from the same era, benefiting from its insert status during one of his peak seasons — the year the Sonics reached the NBA Finals. With only a single active listing currently available, the card operates in a thin market where sellers hold significant pricing leverage. Payton's Hall of Fame status and his recognition as one of the greatest defensive point guards in NBA history sustains collector interest across his entire catalog.
The Season's Best insert series from 1996-97 Topps carries a notably lower print run than base cards, making raw copies harder to source and graded copies even more scarce. Population reports for graded examples of this specific insert remain limited, which means high-grade copies — PSA 9s and 10s in particular — trade with a meaningful scarcity premium. The combination of insert-level production and age-related centering and surface issues keeps the high-grade population suppressed.
Payton's Hall of Fame induction and his cultural resurgence among collectors of 1990s NBA memorabilia have driven steady demand for his key cards, particularly inserts from his prime Sonics years. The extremely thin secondary market — reflected in the single active listing — suggests this card does not turn over frequently, which can signal either strong holder conviction or limited collector awareness, both of which reward patient buyers. Grading submission trends for mid-90s Topps inserts have increased as the vintage appeal of the era grows, and a high-grade example here would likely attract strong demand from registry builders and Payton player collectors alike.

1996-97 • Topps
#50

1993-94 • Fleer
#202

1992-93 • Skybox
NBA Hoops • #219

1993-94 • Skybox
NBA Hoops Series 1 • #210

1992-93 • Skybox
NBA Hoops Series 1 • #219