Top 5 Most Valuable New York Knicks Basketball Cards of All Time

The New York Knicks are one of the most iconic and valuable franchises in NBA history. Known for their orange and blue colors, raucous crowds at Madison Square Garden, and legends like Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, and Willis Reed, the Knicks have produced some of the most sought-after basketball cards for collectors.

In this post, we’ll break down the top 5 most expensive Knicks cards that have sold at public auction. From ultra-rare vintage gems to modern superstar autographs, these are the cream of the crop when it comes to Knickerbockers cardboard!

1. 1969-70 Topps Lew Alcindor Rookie Card (#25) - BGS 9 - $161,000

Kicking off the list is a legendary rookie card of the man who would become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. His '69-'70 Topps card, featuring him in his early Milwaukee Bucks uniform, has always been popular with collectors. This mint BGS 9 example sold for a whopping $161k in 2018 - the highest price ever for this card!

Key factors driving the value include:

• Rookie card of NBA's all-time leading scorer
• Extremely tough to find in top grade due to poor centering and print quality
• Key card from Topps' inaugural basketball issue in '69-'70
• Lew Alcindor was a 6x NBA champion and 6x MVP after changing name to Kareem

For Knicks collectors, it carries added significance as Kareem played out his HOF career with the rival Lakers during New York's glory years. This card is the prime ticket for any vintage Knicks or Bucks collection.

2. 1969-70 Topps Dave DeBusschere #15 PSA 9 - $75,000

Next up is another '69-'70 Topps card, this time featuring legendary Knicks forward Dave DeBusschere. A key player on New York's title teams in '70 and '73, "Big D" was a defensive stopper and gritty rebounder.

This sharp PSA 9 copy fetched a massive $75k in 2019, crushing the previous record of $16k. Here's why it reached such lofty heights:

• DeBusschere was an 8x All-Star and 6x All-Defensive First Team with Knicks
• Member of Naismith Hall of Fame and one of greatest power forwards ever
• Extremely tough card to find in PSA 9 grade due to poor centering
• Key card as first-year DeBusschere with Knicks after trade from Pistons

For diehard Knicks collectors, this is an elite card of one of the franchise's most beloved players from their first championship era. It's a card that brings together the scarcity of the '69-'70 Topps set with the immense popularity of the vintage Knicks.

3. 1969-70 Topps Dave Stallworth #42 PSA 9 - $42,000

The '69-'70 Topps set hits its hat trick with powerful forward Dave Stallworth's rookie card in rare PSA 9 condition. While not as well known as DeBusschere, Stallworth was another key player in the Knicks' early '70s title runs.

Let's look at why this obscure card topped $42k at auction:

• Stallworth averaged 13.8 points per game for '70 and '73 title teams
• Underrated rookie from Knicks' first championship roster in '69-'70
• Extremely challenging vintage card to find in PSA 9 grade
• Fresh high-end example pushed values for Stallworth rookie

For diehard Knicks collectors or vintage set builders, securing a PSA 9 Stallworth rookie was seen as a challenge. Thus, when this clean example surfaced at auction, it drove bidding into record territory and lifted values across the board for this obscure player.

4. 2012-13 National Treasures Anthony Davis Rookie Patch Auto (#161/199) BGS 9.5 - $35,100

Jumping into the modern era, this ultra-rare Anthony Davis card combines several elements prized by collectors:

• High-end rookie autograph patch card of NBA superstar Davis
• Extremely limited print run of only 199 copies
• Includes memorabilia patch swatch
• Received flawless BGS 9.5 grade (quad 9.5 subs)

Though Davis does not play for the Knicks (he's with the Lakers), this card reached dizzying heights thanks to its rare qualities and his status as one of the NBA's top current players. It goes to show that condition and scarcity drive value for modern cards just like with vintage.

For Knicks collectors focused on rare specimens of today's stars, this Davis easily qualifies. There are likely less than a handful of BGS 9.5 copies confirmed in the hobby - making it a modern treasure.

5. 1961-62 Fleer Walt Bellamy Rookie Card #8 PSA 8 - $30,000

Rounding out the list is a classic rookie card of early Knicks big man Walt Bellamy. Though not as revered as Willis Reed or Patrick Ewing, Bellamy was the NBA Rookie of the Year for New York in '61-'62 and a 4x All-Star.

Let's look at why this Fleer rookie commands five figures in PSA 8:

• Fleer's scarce '61-'62 set marks their NBA debut
• Bellamy was #1 overall pick in '61 draft and top rookie
• Tallboy (3.5" x 5") card is condition sensitive
• PSA 8 grade (EX/MT 6) carries nice premium over lower grades

Part of Fleer's first NBA set ever issued, you can count the number of PSA 8 copies likely known for Bellamy on one hand. Despite not being a huge star, the scarcity of this rookie in decent shape gives it legitimate value.

For early Knicks collectors or vintage set builders, landing a Bellamy rookie in PSA 8 condition is a definite challenge. Its rare blend of condition, scarcity, and Knickerbockers history make it a coveted card.

There you have it - the top 5 most valuable Knicks basketball cards sold at auction! From Kareem's iconic rookie to a modern Davis patch auto, these rare gems represent the pinnacle of collecting for New York's historic franchise. Owning even one of these cards puts you in rarefied air amongst hobbyists.

Let me know if you have any other questions about valuable basketball cards! I'd be happy to offer tips on collecting and investing in the hobby.