The prizes for the season can be withdrawn at NBA 2K22 MT any time and can be lost at any point (unless they're sold). The players will be further behind every season in the event that they do not win the highest prize.
The first goal of the season that is not achieved is near a death knell. The next opponents are likely to have these cards, badges, and even upgrades. Yes, there will be new prizes however having access to all seasonal prizes is more advantageous than you think.
It's just not enough to buy out VC funds. A lot of Buy MT 2K22 upgrades and prizes are locked behind other forms of currency, which cannot be bought using real-world currency. It's a positive thing since it means that these are easily achievable for everyone.