As a way to honor key contributors including players, coaches, fans, broadcasters and announcers, National Basketball Association (NBA) teams often retire their jersey numbers, win totals or microphones. In the case of jersey numbers, they are usually no longer available for future players to wear, although they can ask for permission from players whose jerseys are retired. Teams usually display these numbers by hanging banners on the rafters inside their home arena. As of December 2024, only the Los Angeles Clippers do not have any retired numbers. Two players have had their numbers retired by teams they did not play for, and only one player (Bill Russell) had his number retired league wide.
As team owner. While the team presented Turner a framed Hawks jersey with No. 17, the banner raised to the rafters carried an old Hawks logo with Turner's name instead of a number.
Russell's #6 was first retired in the Boston Garden on March 12, 1972, but due to Russell's tense relationship with the media and fans at the time, the ceremony was closed to the public. On May 26, 1999, Russell's number was re-retired in a public ceremony at the FleetCenter. Also served as head coach (1966–1969). Number retired league-wide in 2022.[4]
During his first four seasons (1973–1977), the team was on Long Island and known as the New York Nets; for the rest of his career with the team, it was the New Jersey Nets.
The team was then on Long Island as the New York Nets. Erving's number was retired by the Nets on April 3, 1987, during his final NBA season as a player with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Worked a variety roles in the Nuggets organization after retirement, including broadcaster (1988–1992), head coach (1992–1995, 1999–2001), and president/general manager (1998–1999)
As head coach; the number represents the two NBA championship teams he coached. Number unretired for Cade Cunningham since 2021, with permission from the Daly family.
Number worn by Stanley Johnson at the time of the announcement; switched to No. 7 before the 2016–17 season out of respect to Wallace. Also wore no. 6 from 2009 to 2012.
Team was in Philadelphia (1959–1962) and in San Francisco (1962–1965). Only player to have the same number retired by three different teams (Golden State, L.A. Lakers and Philadelphia)
Never played professional basketball, but left a large impact on Miami during his NFL Hall of Fame career with the Dolphins. Still available in circulation (number currently worn by Bam Adebayo).
Never played for the franchise, jersey retired for his contributions to basketball of Louisiana. He played for the New Orleans Jazz (now the Utah Jazz) 1974–1979 in NBA and for LSU Tigers 1967–1970 in NCAA. One of three players to have his jersey retired by three different teams (Atlanta, New Orleans, Utah)
Team was known as the Syracuse Nationals (1948–1963). Also served as player-coach (1963–66). Number retired posthumously. Nerlens Noel wore the number at the time of the announcement, and was allowed to wear it until his departure in 2017. Wore No. 55 for part of the 1949–50 season.
Number was previously only considered "honored" by the Suns on March 9, 2003, before considered properly retired by the franchise on October 28, 2023.[45]
Number was previously only considered "honored" by the Suns on October 30, 2015, before considered properly retired by the franchise on October 28, 2023.[45]
Number was previously only considered "honored" by the Suns on April 18, 1999 (as noted with Tom Gugliotta wearing Chambers' number while with the Suns from 1999 until 2004) before considered properly retired by the franchise on October 28, 2023.[45]
Number was previously only considered "honored" by the Suns on March 20, 2004, before considered properly retired by the franchise on October 28, 2023.[45]
During his career with the team, it was known first as the Cincinnati Royals (1970–1972), then the Kansas City–Omaha Kings (1972–1975), and finally as the Kansas City Kings (1975–1976). He wore no. 10 from 1970 to 1974.
The team was known as the Rochester Royals (1955–1957) and moved to Cincinnati starting with the 1957–58 season in which his career was ended by a crippling head injury.
The team was in New Orleans 1974–1979. He also played 17 games of the 1979–80 season after the team moved to Salt Lake City. Wore no. 44 in the 1974–75 season. One of three players to have his jersey retired by three different teams (Atlanta, New Orleans, Utah)
When he joined the team, it was known as the Baltimore Bullets. After one season, the team moved to Landover, Maryland, adopting the name of Capital Bullets for the 1973–74 season before being known as the Washington Bullets.
When he started his career with the team, it was known as the Baltimore Bullets. In 1973, the team moved to Landover, Maryland, adopting the name of Capital Bullets for the 1973–74 season before being known as the Washington Bullets. Also served as head coach (1987–1994), as well as three stints in the team's front office (vice president, 1981–1987; general manager, 1996–1999, 2003); the team did not adopt the Wizards nickname until the 1997–98 season.
When he joined the team, it was known as the Baltimore Bullets. After two seasons, the team moved to Landover, Maryland, adopting the name of Capital Bullets for the 1973–74 season before being known as the Washington Bullets. Also served as broadcaster (1984–2017).
Honored numbers
Cleveland has introduced in 2019 a Wall of Honor, which honors former players and other personnel.
Phoenix also previously honored numbers from 1999 until 2023 during their Ring of Honor ceremonies.
Chicago has introduced a Ring of Honor in January 2024, with all of the previously retired numbers and banners, plus other significant personnel in Bulls' history, as well as one full team.
The Lakers have also honored their most notable players during the stint of the franchise in Minneapolis. Although their numbers are displayed on the banners, only the No. 22 and No. 34 are officially retired, since they were retired for Elgin Baylor and Shaquille O'Neal respectively.[53]George Mikan was also promoted from being an honored number for his time with the Minneapolis Lakers to being retired by the Los Angeles Lakers properly on October 30, 2022.
As head coach (1948–1957, 1958–1959); the team was in Minneapolis.
One player, multiple teams
A handful of players who had notable careers for multiple teams have had their numbers retired by each team. Bill Russell (whose number was retired league-wide), Michael Jordan, and Pete Maravich had their numbers retired by teams they never played for.
Wilt Chamberlain had his no. 13 retired by the Warriors, 76ers, and Lakers. To date, he is one of only three players to have his jersey retired by 3 different teams, alongside Pete Maravich and Shaquille O'Neal.
Charles Barkley had his no. 34 retired by both the 76ers and Suns.
Vince Carter had his no. 15 jersey retired by the Raptors and is scheduled to have his no. 15 jersey retired by the Nets.
Clyde Drexler had his no. 22 retired by both the Trail Blazers and Rockets.
Julius Erving had his no. 32 retired by the Nets, and his no. 6 retired by the 76ers.
Elvin Hayes had his no. 11 retired by the Wizards, and his no. 44 by the Rockets.
Michael Jordan had his no. 23 retired by both the Bulls and Heat. Jordan is one of three players to have his jersey retired by a team he never played for.
Bob Lanier had his no. 16 retired by both the Pistons and Bucks.
Pete Maravich had his no. 44 retired by the Hawks, while his no. 7 is retired by both the Jazz and Pelicans. Maravich is one of three players to have his jersey retired by three different teams, alongside Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O'Neal.
Moses Malone has his no. 24 retired by the Rockets, while his no. 2 is retired by the 76ers.
Earl Monroe had his no. 15 retired by the Knicks, and his no. 10 by the Wizards.
Dikembe Mutombo had his no. 55 retired by both the Nuggets and Hawks.
Shaquille O'Neal had his no. 34 retired by the Lakers, and his no. 32 by both the Heat and the Magic. O'Neal is one of three players to have his jersey retired by three different teams, alongside Wilt Chamberlain and Pete Maravich.
Dennis Rodman had his no. 10 retired by the Pistons, and his no. 91 appears in the Bulls' Ring of Honor .
Oscar Robertson had his no. 14 retired by the Kings, and his no. 1 by the Bucks.
On August 11, 2022, 12 days after his death, Bill Russell had his no. 6 retired league-wide, the first and thus far only NBA player to receive the honor.[54] Russell had previously had his number retired by the Celtics on March 12, 1972.
Jerry Sloan had his no. 4 retired by the Bulls, and no. 1,223 by the Jazz, signifying his total victories as their coach.
Nate Thurmond had his no. 42 retired by both the Warriors and Cavaliers.
Lenny Wilkens had his no. 19 retired by the Sonics, and his name appears in the Cavaliers' Wall of Honor.
One team, multiple players
The following numbers have been retired by a single team in honor of multiple players:
^Loscutoff asked that his number (No. 18) not be retired to allow future Celtics to wear it. His number is represented by "LOSCY." His number 18 was later retired in honor of Cowens.[3]
^ abJackson and Krause do not have actual numbers retired in their honor.
^Dawson does not have an actual number retired in his honor; rather, a banner with his initials is hanging from the rafters to pay tribute to his 27 years of service to the team.[19]
^Although No. 33 is retired, Grant Hill received permission from Adams to wear it during his time with the Suns.
^ abcdeNumbers hang to the rafters as honored Minneapolis Lakers. These five Hall-of-Famers were instrumental to the franchise's success during its days in Minneapolis. Except for 22, which was retired for Baylor, and 34, which was retired for O'Neal, these "honored numbers" are still available.