Top 10 Most Valuable Knicks Basketball Cards of All Time

The New York Knicks are one of the most iconic and valuable franchises in NBA history. Knicks cards have long been coveted by collectors looking to own a piece of the iconic franchise. While Knicks legends like Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, and Willis Reed dominated the court in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, their rookie cards and autographed memorabilia are worth a fortune today.

Let's take a look at the 10 most expensive and sought-after Knicks basketball cards of all time.

1. Patrick Ewing 1986-87 Fleer Basketball RC #32

As the #1 overall pick in the 1985 NBA draft, Patrick Ewing arrived in New York with massive expectations. He lived up to the hype by leading the Knicks to NBA finals appearances in 1994 and 1999.

Ewing's 1986-87 Fleer rookie card #32 depicts the Knicks legend in an artistic, cartoon-like drawing style. It's undoubtedly the most iconic and coveted Patrick Ewing card. PSA 10 gem mint versions of this Knicks rookie card can fetch over $15,000 at auction.

2. Walt Frazier 1967-68 Topps Basketball RC #43

Before Patrick Ewing, "Clyde" Frazier was the man in NYC. This N.Y. legend won two championships with the Knicks in the early 70s. Frazier's 1967-68 Topps rookie (#43) shows the young Hall of Famer during his debut NBA season.

It's tough to find quality Frazier rookies, as the cards were printed in low quantities over 50 years ago. PSA 8 copies can sell for over $6,500. A PSA 10 mint example would likely break the $100k mark if one surfaced.

3. Willis Reed 1964-65 Topps Basketball RC #43

As the Knicks' franchise player in the 60s and 70s, Willis Reed brought toughness that encapsulated those classic Knicks squads. His iconic 1964-65 Topps rookie card (#43) pictures "The Captain" early in his Hall of Fame career.

Like all vintage cards, finding Reed rookies in top condition is incredibly difficult. But PSA graded Wills Reed RC's in PSA 8 condition can still sell for well over $2,000.

4. Dave DeBusschere 1969-70 Topps Basketball #25 (SGC 96)

A key player on the Knicks' 1970 and 1973 championship teams, power forward Dave DeBusschere was a defensive stopper. His 1969-70 Topps card #25 pictures DeBusschere going in for a layup early in his illustrious career.

This sharp single-color photo has outstanding eye appeal, especially in mint condition. A PSA 10 copy sold for $75,000 in 2020. And an SGC 96 mint example fetched $28,680 at auction in 2022.

5. Earl Monroe 1968-69 Topps RC #80 (PSA 8) - $8,500

Before emerging as a Knicks legend, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe starred for the Baltimore Bullets. His high-flying style made Monroe one of the most entertaining players of the era. The Pearl's 1968-69 Topps rookie (#80) captures Monroe early in his eventual Hall of Fame career.

Finding mint condition Monroe RC's is virtually impossible after over 50 years. But collectors are willing to pay up for copies in lightly worn condition. An impressive PSA 8 example commanded $8,500 at auction in 2021.

6. Mark Jackson 1986-87 Fleer RC #29

While not a Hall of Famer like other names on this list, Mark Jackson was an outstanding point guard for the Knicks in the 90s. Before Steph Curry came along, Jackson held the NBA record for most career three-pointers made.

Jackson's 1986-87 Fleer rookie card #29 pictures the young point guard during his first season after being drafted 18th overall in 1987. Gem mint PSA 10 copies can auction for upwards of $2,000.

7. Bill Bradley 1965-66 Topps Basketball RC #43

A starter on the Knicks' 1970 and 1973 title teams, Bill Bradley brought a fundamental style from his days at Princeton. His 1965-66 Topps rookie #43 remains sought-after for its sharp image of the young Bradley in his early Knicks uniform.

Mint condition Bradley rookies are virtually impossible to come by. However, PSA 7 copies still sell for around $1,000 when they surface at auction.

8. Kristaps Porzingis 2015-16 Prizm RC #280

Although his Knicks career fizzled out, Kristaps Porzingis brought tremendous excitement when drafted in 2015. His flashy play and three-point shooting ability earned "KP" the nicknames "Unicorn" and "Prince of NY".

Porzingis' 2015-16 Prizm rookie card #280 pictures him about to shoot a three pointer early in his career. PSA 10 gem mint copies can sell for over $1,500. His Prizm rookie offers modern collectors a reasonably priced option for investing in a young Knicks prospect.

9. Carmelo Anthony 2003-04 Topps Pristine RC #101 #/149 (BGS 9.5)

After starring at Syracuse, Carmelo Anthony took the NBA by storm in 2003. His 2003-04 Topps Pristine rookie is limited to just 149 copies. The refractor technology gives Melo's card an eye-popping rainbow effect.

With so few copies available, it's nearly impossible to find Anthony's Topps Pristine RC in perfect shape. But collectors still pay over $1,000 for copies graded BGS 9.5 and under #/149.

10. John Starks 1992-93 Stadium Club Beam Team RC #B2

An underdog fan favorite, John Starks provided toughness, defense, and clutch shooting for 1990s Knicks teams. His 1992-93 Beam Team insert captures the NBA Slam Dunk Contest champ in a cool "beam" design.

Raw copies can sell for around $400. But PSA 10 mint versions break the $1,000 mark regularly at online auction. Starks' Beam Team rookie insert is the most sought-after of his cards for diehard 90s Knicks collectors.

That does it for the list of the top ten most valuable Knicks basketball cards of all time. From Patrick Ewing and Walt Frazier to Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, iconic Knicks rookie cards are highly coveted items. There's nothing like owning a mint condition piece of NY basketball history.