Sun, 03 May 2026 20:10:36 +0000

Why Paul Skenes’ Rookie Card Is The BIGGEST Betrayal in Sports History When Paul Skenes signed his rookie contract with the Denver Nuggets in 2014, few expected his name to become synonymous with one of the most shocking betrayals in NBA history. Among rookies, few draw headlines or ethical scrutiny—yet Skenes’ career encapsulates a story not just of talent, but of broken trust, premature declaration, and the ripple effects of a misstep at the sport’s most vulnerable moment. ### The Rookie Card Myth and the Skenes Case: Context In NBA Norms, rookie cards are celebrated as launchpads—chance for new players to shine. For Paul Skenes, however, that moment became infamous not because of lack of effort, but due to rash decision-making fueled by confidence out of sync with reality. Drafted 7th overall by the Nuggets, fans originally fired up on the idea of a high-flying sharpshooter poised to redefine their offense. But instead of steady development over seasons, Skenes made a controversial early declaration to skip college and jump straight into the league.