Knicks Legend Dick Barnett’s 1970 Title Ring Up for Auction
Knicks fans, get ready — a treasured piece of franchise history is up for grabs. Dick Barnett’s 1970 NBA Championship ring is heading to auction, just months after the basketball icon passed away at the age of 88.
Barnett, a vital member of the New York Knicks’ legendary 1970 title-winning squad alongside Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, and Phil Jackson, helped the team secure victory over the Lakers in a dramatic seven-game NBA Finals.
Now, his personal championship ring — a symbol of that historic season — is set to hit the Heritage Auctions block in August.
The ring is adorned with “New York Knicks” and “World Champions” inscriptions and features Barnett’s name engraved on the side.
The number “18” is also prominently displayed, honoring the Knicks’ record-setting 18-game win streak during that storied season.
Inside the band, the designer’s mark “Balfour 14K” confirms its craftsmanship and gold quality.
Heritage Auctions received the ring after a private buyer, who had acquired it earlier, decided to part with the piece — citing renewed excitement around the Knicks’ recent playoff run. The auction house expects the ring to fetch more than $60,000.
“This is a rare and meaningful collectible,” a Heritage spokesperson said. “Championship rings from that era were given sparingly, and with Barnett now a Hall of Famer and a beloved figure in Knicks history, interest will be strong.”
Barnett, whose No. 12 jersey hangs in the rafters at Madison Square Garden, won two NBA titles during his career and was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. He died peacefully in his sleep in April at age 88.
Knicks Legend Dick Barnett’s 1970 Title Ring Up for Auction