A piece of New York Knicks history is heading to auction, and it comes with a heavy dose of legacy. The 1970 NBA championship ring belonging to the late Dick Barnett is officially on the block, just months after the hall of fame guard passed away in April at the age of 88.
Barnett played a key role in the Knicks’ iconic 1970 title run, alongside Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, and a young Phil Jackson. That season, the Knicks captured their first-ever NBA championship, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in a dramatic seven-game series. Moreover, Barnett’s contribution to that historic squad lives on through this one-of-a-kind piece of memorabilia.
The ring, engraved with the New York Knicks and the World Championships, also features Barnett’s name and the number 18, a nod to the team’s record-setting 18-game winning streak that season. Inside, it bears the Balfour 14K marking, signifying its 14-karat gold make and the name of its designer.
New York Knicks Championship Ring From 1970 Title Heads Up For Auction
Heritage Auctions confirmed they received the ring through a private sale and are now preparing it for public bidding in August. The auction house expects the team to draw significant attention and predicts it could sell for over $60,000.
“Given this year’s Knicks playoff run they decided it was time to put it up for auction and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to present it to the collecting public,” a heritage spokesperson told TMZ sports. “It belonged to a Knicks legend and Basketball Hofer, and the fact it comes from an era when the recipients of championship rings were in limitation, we expect to see a lot of interest in the ring.”
However, the Knicks retired Barnett’s No. 12 jersey, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024 after winning two titles with the team. His ring represents not just a career but a defining moment in Knicks history, and it is now available to the highest bidder.
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