Predicting the next jersey number to be retired by each of the 30 NBA teams
The Phoenix Suns announced last week that they plan to induct Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire into the team’s Ring of Honor. That also means that the Suns will be retiring Marion’s #31 and Stoudemire’s #32 uniform numbers as well.
Raising a player’s number to the rafters is a tremendous honor. It means that the player had a memorable career and was one of the greatest ever to wear that team’s uniform. No other player will ever wear numbers 31 and 32 for the Suns again.
The Suns’ announcement got me thinking. Who will have their jersey number retired next for each NBA team?
I decided to make a list of the next players who I think either will or deserve to have their jersey number hanging from each NBA team’s rafters. Some choices are obvious, but others may surprise you.
Predicting the next jersey number to be retired by all 30 NBA teams
Atlanta Hawks – John Drew, #22
The late John Drew played for the Atlanta Hawks from 1974-82. He was a two-time NBA All-Star and averaged 21.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in 595 career games with the Hawks. Drew is arguably one of the best five players in the team’s history.
The 6-6 swingman was a talented scorer and had a knack for the offensive glass. He still ranks in the top-5 in Atlanta Hawks history in career points, field goals, steals, and offensive rebounds.
Unfortunately, Drew was the first player banned from the NBA for drug use but eventually overcame his cocaine addiction. That could be why his number hasn’t been retired by the team. It may be controversial, but John Drew’s #22 should be raised to the rafters of State Farm Arena.
Other Players in Consideration: Al Horford, Joe Johnson, Kevin Willis, Trae Young
Boston Celtics – Jayson Tatum, #0
At age 25, Jayson Tatum is already a 4-time NBA All-Star who has seen his team reach four conference finals and one NBA Finals. He hasn’t won a ring but has often been on the doorstep during his young career.
Tatum’s scoring average has increased in each of his six seasons. Last season, he became the first player in Celtics history to average over 30 points per game in a season (30.1). He is already fourth in Celtics history in career points per game and second in three-point field goals made.
Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo were also in consideration here. However, the Celtics have issued numbers 9 and 20 to other players since both All-Stars left town. That’s telling.
Other Players in Consideration: Danny Ainge, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo
Brooklyn Nets – Brook Lopez’s #11
It seems as if Brook Lopez played for the Nets ages ago. He averaged 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds in 562 games with the franchise – first in New Jersey and then in Brooklyn.
Lopez remains the franchise’s all-time leader in total points, field goals, and blocks. He also ranks in the top-5 in Nets history in many other categories. Lopez made his lone All-Star game appearance in 2013 as a member of the Nets.
I wanted to put Vince Carter here, but Lopez spent four more very productive seasons in a Nets uniform.
Other Players in Consideration: Vince Carter, Derrick Coleman, Richard Jefferson
Charlotte Hornets – Kemba Walker, #15
Kemba Walker spent the first eight seasons of his NBA career in Charlotte. He was a three-time NBA All-Star as a member of the Hornets. In 2019, he averaged a career-high 25.6 points per game.
Walker is the all-time leader in Hornets franchise history [MO5] in total points, minutes played, and three-point field goals made. He also ranks in the top-5 in assists, steals, and games played. “Cardiac” Kemba is arguably the best player in Hornets history and should be the second-ever Hornet to have his number hanging from the Spectrum Center.
Other Players in Consideration: Muggsy Bogues, Dell Curry, Gerald Wallace
Chicago Bulls – Derrick Rose, #1
Luol Deng is one of five players in Chicago Bulls franchise history to be a multi-time NBA All-Star AND score over 10,000 points. The jersey numbers of the other four hang in the United Center rafters.
Artis Gilmore and Chet Walker were multi-time All-Stars and are Hall-of-Famers. Gilmore is arguably the best center in the franchise’s history. Toni Kukoc and Dennis Rodman are also Hall-of-Famers who won rings as Chicago Bulls.
I think the Bulls could retire Derrick Rose’s number 1 next. Rose was a three-time NBA All-Star and the youngest MVP in NBA history. Injuries derailed his career and Rose is one of the league’s biggest “what-if” stories. Still, his first four pre-injury seasons were THAT special.
Other Players in Consideration: Luol Deng, Artis Gilmore, Toni Kukoc, Zach Lavine.
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
Denver Nuggets – #15 for Carmelo Anthony AND Nikola Jokic
The New York Knicks retired number 15 for two players – Earl “The Pearl” Monroe and Dick McGuire. Will the Nuggets do the same?
Carmelo Anthony helped make the Nuggets competitive when he arrived in Denver in 2003. He was a five-time NBA All-Star in a Nuggets uniform and averaged 24.8 points in 564 games in Denver. Anthony still ranks in the top-5 in the Nuggets’ history in many offensive categories.
Nikola Jokic just won his first NBA championship and Finals MVP award. The two-time league MVP is already the Nuggets’ career leader in assists and will surely become the franchise leader in many categories by the time his playing career in Denver is up.
Jokic is a shoo-in here, but don’t be surprised if the Nuggets honor ‘Melo too.
Other Players in Consideration: None
Detroit Pistons – Grant Hill, #33
I’m not sure how Pistons fans feel about this or if this will actually happen. Besides, the team has already retired the numbers of all other deserving players in its franchise history.
People forget that Grant Hill was THAT dude while in Detroit. Hill was a five-time NBA All-Star and one of the league’s best players while wearing a Pistons uniform. He wasn’t just on his way to becoming a Hall-of-Famer. Hill was on a trajectory to become one of the league’s all-time greats.
Grant Hill left Detroit in 2000 but still ranks in the top 10 in Pistons history in several categories.
Other Players in Consideration: Andre Drummond, John Long, Tayshaun Prince
Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry, #30
Honestly, the next Warrior to get his number retired will depend on who will retire first between Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Curry is the oldest of the three. He’s also a two-time MVP, two-time scoring champ, 2022 Finals MVP, and the greatest shooter of all time. That’ll do it.
What I want to know is, what did the late-Paul Arizin do to NOT get his number 11 jersey retired by the Warriors? He was a 10-time All-Star, 2-time scoring champ, 1956 NBA champ, and is one of the 75th greatest NBA players ever.
When the Warriors retire number 11 for Klay Thompson, they should honor Arizin too.
Other Players in Consideration: Paul Arizin, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson
Houston Rockets – James Harden, #13
Tracy McGrady is the only other player who currently has a shot of having his number retired by the Rockets. James Harden’s time as a Rocket blows McGrady’s out of the water.
Harden spent parts of nine seasons in Houston. He was selected to eight All-Star games, won three scoring titles, and led the NBA in assists once as a Rocket. Harden is the franchise’s career leader in assists and is second in career points.
“The Beard” is a shoo-in to have his number raised to the rafters of the Toyota Center.
Other Players in Consideration: Tracy McGrady, Otis Thorpe
Indiana Pacers – Jermaine O’Neal, #7
Many remember Jermaine O’Neal for his involvement in the “Malice in the Palace” back in 2004. They forget that he was one of the NBA’s best big men during the 2000s.
O’Neal played for the Pacers for eight seasons (2000-08). He was a six-time NBA All-Star as a Pacer, a three-time All-NBA selection, and was the 2001-02 NBA Most Improved Player.
O’Neal was the Pacers’ franchise player during his time in Indiana. I’m not sure if the Pacers will ever retire O’Neal’s number 7, but he’s deserving of the honor.
Other Players in Consideration: Paul George, Danny Granger, Rik Smits
LA Clippers – Blake Griffin, #32
The LA Clippers are one of two NBA teams that haven’t retired a single uniform number. The Toronto Raptors are the other. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer should open his new arena by retiring the first jersey number in Clippers’ history.
Blake Griffin was a Clipper for parts of eight seasons. He averaged 21.6 points and 9.3 rebounds in 504 career games in Los Angeles.
Griffin was the 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year, a five-time NBA All-Star, and helped usher in the team’s “Lob City” era. That era was the most successful period of Clippers basketball to date. It saw the team make the playoffs in six consecutive seasons.
Other Players in Consideration: Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, Chris Paul
Los Angeles Lakers – LeBron James, #23
Los Angeles Lakers controlling owner and team president Jeanie Buss has already announced that the team will retire James’ number once he retires.
LeBron James helped bring a championship to Los Angeles in 2020. That alone gets your number retired at Crypto.com Arena. He also passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer in a Lakers uniform. Others may be considered but LeBron’s number 23 will be the next retired number in LA.
The Lakers only retire the numbers of champions. LeBron James fits the bill.
Other Players in Consideration: Michael Cooper, Anthony Davis, Derek Fisher
Memphis Grizzlies – Mike Conley, #11
Zach Randolph’s number 50 is lonely in the rafters at FedEx Forum. The number 11 worn by Mike Conley, Jr. may soon join them.
Conley played twelve seasons in Memphis from 2007-19. He is the team’s all-time leader in points, assists, steals, and games played. He was the floor general during the team’s best stretch that saw Memphis make the playoffs for seven seasons in a row.
Tony Allen’s #9 will eventually be retired by the Grizzlies. The team announced as much in 2021, however, Allen requested that his jersey retirement be postponed.
Other Players in Consideration: Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, Ja Morant
Miami Heat – Udonis Haslem, #40
Before the LeBron mega-supporters come after me, just choosing Haslem over “The King” is simply a timing thing. Udonis Haslem just retired after twenty seasons as a member of the Heat.
Udonis Haslem is the team’s all-time leader in rebounds. He ranks second to Dwyane Wade in Miami Heat history in both minutes and games played. Most importantly, he was a key piece of three Miami Heat championship teams.
LeBron will have his number 6 retired in South Beach eventually. Haslem’s number 40 will be the next one raised to the rafters in Miami.
Other Players in Consideration: Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, LeBron James
Milwaukee Bucks – Giannis Antetokounmpo, #34
Both Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton joined the Bucks in 2013. They have been quite the duo in Milwaukee ever since. In 2021, they led the Bucks to their first championship since 1971.
The “Greek Freak” and “Money” are both under contract for at least the next two seasons. Both will eventually have their jersey numbers hanging from the Fiserv Forum rafters. Middleton is coming off a knee injury and is three years older.
Still, the two-time MVP, 2020 Defensive Player of the Year, and 2021 NBA Finals MVP are the safe bet here.
Other Players in Consideration: Khris Middleton, Michael Redd, Glenn Robinson
Minnesota Timberwolves – Kevin Garnett’s #21
There is no player in Timberwolves history that deserves to have his jersey number retired more than the “Big Ticket.” The 2004 MVP and Hall-of-Famer is by far the greatest player in the history of the franchise. Why isn’t Garnett’s number 21 hanging in the rafters of the Target Center?
KG had a fallout with current Timberwolves’ majority owner Glen Taylor and will not agree to any relationship with the franchise while Taylor is in charge. That could change in 2024 when Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore gain majority ownership of the Timberwolves.
Their first move? It could be bringing back KG into the fold.
Other Players in Consideration: None
New Orleans Pelicans – Anthony Davis, #23
AD didn’t leave New Orleans on great terms. However, it’s not like the Pelicans have had a rich history so far. Anthony Davis has been the franchise’s best player to date.
He won the 2017 All-Star Game MVP in New Orleans as a member of the Pelicans. That was one of six All-Star games AD played while a Pelican. Davis spent seven seasons in New Orleans averaging 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 466 games.
Anthony Davis is still the Pelicans career leader in points, rebounds, and blocks. That should mean something.
Other Players in Consideration: Brandon Ingram, Chris Paul, David West
New York Knicks – Carmelo Anthony, #7
It’s been tough for Knicks fans since the turn of the century. Their team has only made six playoff appearances in the past twenty-two seasons. Three of those came with Carmelo Anthony.
Anthony is the most talented player to play for the Knicks in recent memory. “Melo” spent parts of seven seasons playing in Madison Square Garden. He was a seven-time NBA All-Star selection and won the 2013 scoring title as a Knick.
“Melo” may not have brought a championship to New York, but the fans always show him love when he returns to Madison Square Garden.
Other Players in Consideration: Allan Houston, Bernard King, Charles Oakley
Oklahoma City Thunder – Russell Westbrook, #0
If the team was still in Seattle and called the Supersonics, we would be talking about retiring the jersey numbers of Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton. The Thunder will certainly raise the numbers of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to the rafters once their playing careers are over.
Durant and Westbrook are the same age. The first to retire get their jersey retired next. I gave the nod to Westbrook because he spent two more seasons in Oklahoma City, made one more All-Game game, and is the Thunder’s all-time scoring leader.
Other Players in Consideration: Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Orlando Magic -Dwight Howard, #12
There have been many talented players that have played for the Magic since 1989 including Nick Anderson, Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady, and Nikola Vucevic. None of them have had their jersey numbers retired by the team.
Dwight Howard was a member of the Orlando Magic from 2004-12. During his time in Orlando, he made six All-Star game appearances, won three NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards, and led the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals – one of two Finals appearances in the franchise’s history.
Howard is still the Magic’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, and blocks. Raise that number 12.
Other Players in Consideration: Nick Anderson, Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O’Neal
Philadelphia 76ers – Joel Embiid, #21
The Philadelphia 76ers have had only one player on their roster since Allen Iverson that has been a multi-time All-Star and franchise cornerstone-type player – Joel Embiid.
Embiid is a six-time NBA All-Star, two-time scoring champ, and the league’s reigning MVP. He’s the most talented player to play for the franchise since Iverson and is seeking greatness. He’s a fan favorite in Philly and may have already done enough to warrant his number to be retired by the club.
Other Players in Consideration: None
Phoenix Suns – Devin Booker, #1
Now that we know that the jersey numbers of Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire will be retired, Devin Booker should be next in line.
Only 26, he’s already spent eight seasons in “The Valley.” He has been selected to three NBA All-Star games (and snubbed for others). He’s already fourth on the Suns’ all-time scoring list and should be in second by the end of next season.
Booker also helped lead the Suns to their third-ever NBA Finals appearance in 2021. Could this season mark the fourth time the Suns make it to the Finals?
Other Players in Consideration: Larry Nance, Chris Paul
Portland Trail Blazers – Damian Lillard, #0
Damian Lillard may have requested a trade from Portland this offseason, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t in the conversation for the greatest player in Trail Blazers’ history.
He is a seven-time NBA All-Star and is the franchise’s career scoring leader. Lillard holds several offensive-related Trail Blazer records including most points in a single game and most career three-point field goals made.
Dame’s number 0 will hang in the rafters of Moda Center once he retires.
Other Players in Consideration: Jerome Kersey, LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy
Sacramento Kings – DeMarcus Cousins, #15
In 2017, DeMarcus Cousins said he wanted to remain a member of the Kings for his whole career but was about to become a free agent. Cousins was assured by then-Kings GM Vlade Divac that he wasn’t going to be traded. Then he was traded to the Pelicans.
Cousins had previously played parts of seven seasons in Sacramento. He was known for his short temper with the officials but also averaged 21.1 points and 10.8 rebounds in 470 games with the Kings. Cousins still ranks in the franchise’s top 10 in points, rebounds, and blocks.
Will Boogie actually see his number 15 retired by the Kings? Crazier things have happened.
Other Players in Consideration: DeAaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis
San Antonio Spurs – Kawhi Leonard, #2
Many Spurs fans may curse at the choice of Kawhi Leonard being the next player to have his jersey number retired by the team. It was an odd ending to the relationship between the Spurs and Leonard, but the fact is as Isiah Thomas famously said he, “meets the criteria.”
Leonard played seven seasons with the Spurs. He was a two-time NBA All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year award in San Antonio. He also helped propel the Spurs to two NBA Finals appearances, resulting in one championship. Leonard won NBA Finals MVP in 2014.
Spurs fans may not want to admit it, but Kawhi Leonard deserves to have his number retired by the club.
Other Players in Consideration: LaMarcus Aldridge, Keldon Johnson
Toronto Raptors – Vince Carter, #15
The Toronto Raptors have never retired a player’s jersey number. Current team president Masai Ujiri admitted that he wants to retire Kyle Lowry’s number 7 after he retires. However, it’s Vince Carter’s number 15 jersey that should be the first Raptors number hung in Scotiabank Arena.
Carter was the franchise’s first superstar. “Vinsanity” put the Toronto Raptors on the map. He was also the team’s first NBA star player and led the Raptors to their first-ever playoff berth. Carter became a household name in 2000 when he won a memorable Slam-Dunk contest during NBA All-Star weekend.
More importantly, Carter influenced many youngsters in Toronto. Some are even in the NBA Today.
Other Players in Consideration: Chris Bosh, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry
Utah Jazz – Rudy Gobert, #0
Who has the most win shares in Utah Jazz history after Karl Malone and John Stockton? Rudy Gobert.
The French big man spent nine seasons in Salt Lake City. Gobert was a three-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year while a member of the Jazz.
He played in 611 games in a Jazz Uniform and averaged 12.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.
Other Players in Consideration: Andrei Kirilenko, Gordon Hayward, Donovan Mitchell
Washington Wizards – Bradley Beal, #3
Beal wanted to win in Washington, badly. He was loyal to the Wizards until he couldn’t be anymore. Now he’s a member of the Phoenix Suns. Beal’s loyalty and performance while in a Wizards uniform is deserving of having his number 3 retired by the team one day.
The high-scoring guard played eleven seasons in Washington and was a three-time NBA All-Star. Beal averaged 22.1 points in 695 games with the club. He ranks among the franchise’s top-3 in points, assists, games, and steals. Beal is also the Wizards all-time leader in three-point field goals made.
Other Players in Consideration: Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison, John Wall