NBA: Predicting the next jersey number to be retired by all 30 teams

DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Former Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki looks on with his wife, Jessica Olsson, as the Dallas Mavericks raise a banner while retiring his No. 41 jersey at American Airlines Center on January 05, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

4 of 15

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports) /

Cleveland Cavaliers – LeBron James, #23

This one is so easy that I shouldn’t have to go into detail. LeBron James is THE greatest Cleveland Cavalier of all time. He led the Cavaliers to their only NBA championship in 2016 – which was the first championship for a Cleveland team in nearly 70 years!

No other explanation is needed. As LeBron’s former teammate Kendrick Perkins says, “carry on.”

Other Players in Consideration: Kevin Love, but only if he retires before LeBron.

Dallas Mavericks – Jason Terry, #31

Mark Aguirre’s number 24 SHOULD be the next Mavericks jersey number that gets retired.

The #1 overall pick of the 1981 NBA Draft was a three-time All-Star in Dallas. Aguirre was the leader of the competitive Mavericks teams of the 1980s. He ranks second in team history in scoring average and third in total points. Aguirre didn’t exactly leave Dallas on the best terms.

Jason Terry played in Dallas from 2004-12. The 2008-09 NBA Sixth Man of the Year is all over the team’s all-time leaderboards. The Mavericks don’t win the 2011 NBA Championship without Jason Terry, who famously got a tattoo of the Larry O’Brien trophy before the 2010-11 season.

Other Players in Consideration: Mark Aguirre, Luka Doncic, Michael Finley