By Jason Jones / The Athletic, 2026-09-18 17:00:19
CP3能获得一些尊重吗？
鉴于克里斯·保罗 (Chris Paul) 在洛杉矶快船的最后一个赛季以那样的方式收场，球队本赛季允许布拉德利·比尔穿保罗的3号球衣也就不足为奇了。有人认为保罗是快船队史最伟大的球员，但去年12月他却在深夜被球队遣送回家，此后再未打过一场NBA比赛，并于今年2月宣布退役。
快船在直觉巨蛋球馆还没有悬挂任何退役球衣，但保罗在2月表示他被告知自己的球衣有机会退役。在那之前，比尔如果愿意，本赛季可以穿这个号码。比尔在华盛顿奇才和菲尼克斯太阳都穿过3号；也许0号上赛季给他带来了霉运——他因左髋骨折接受赛季报销手术前只打了六场比赛——所以他想要换个号码。
快船随时可以退役3号球衣，前提是比尔是这个号码的最后一位穿着者。鉴于快船最近的新闻，尽早举办一场“克里斯·保罗之夜”将是一个不错的转移视线之举。
在新赛季即将到来之际，有哪些不可触碰的号码可以（或应该）被退役？不少现役球员的号码在他们退役后将不会再被使用。谁最有可能获得球衣退役的荣誉？
丹佛的尼古拉·约基奇是NBA总冠军和三届常规赛MVP。(Ron Chenoy / USA Today)
第一档——肯定会被退役
达米安·利拉德：0号，波特兰开拓者
0号——或者说代表加州奥克兰（他的家乡）、犹他州奥格登（他在韦伯州立大学打球）和俄勒冈州（他为开拓者打职业比赛）的“字母O”——在波特兰将不会再有人穿。
杰森·塔图姆：0号，波士顿凯尔特人
波士顿退役的球衣太多了，以至于球馆上空看起来像一堆宾果卡片。不过塔图姆肯定会位列其中。
谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大：2号，俄克拉荷马城雷霆
两座MVP、一座总决赛MVP和一次总冠军，这个决定轻而易举。
科怀·伦纳德：2号，多伦多猛龙和圣安东尼奥马刺
伦纳德效力过三支球队，其中最不确定的可能是快船，考虑到最近的NBA调查和处罚。他离开圣安东尼奥的方式也不太体面。不过，马刺历来会退役冠军球队重要功臣的号码，比如埃弗里·约翰逊、肖恩·埃利奥特和布鲁斯·鲍文。但伦纳德因率领猛龙夺得2019年NBA总冠军（未来可能还有更多英雄时刻）将在多伦多被永远爱戴。他还随猛龙和马刺都拿过总决赛MVP。
凯里·欧文：2号，克利夫兰骑士
2016年NBA总决赛第七场面对金州勇士的斯蒂芬·库里的那记关键跳投为克利夫兰赢得了总冠军，而欧文也是队史最伟大的球员之一。还有什么需要多说的吗？
安东尼·戴维斯：3号，洛杉矶湖人
湖人总是会退役那些身披紫金战袍立下功勋的名人堂球员的号码。在湖人夺得2020年总冠军时，戴维斯可以说是NBA最好的防守球员。
安东尼·爱德华兹：5号，明尼苏达森林狼
如果爱德华兹将来至少拿下一座MVP，我不会感到惊讶。达到那个级别的球员都会获得球衣退役。
杰伦·布朗：7号，凯尔特人
杰伦·布朗曾询问1991年NBA扣篮大赛冠军迪·布朗，自己能否穿7号。杰伦穿上了这个号码，在2024年夺得总决赛MVP，并成长为一名精英级攻防一体球员。
德玛尔·德罗赞：10号，猛龙
德罗赞在多伦多的岁月配得上这份荣誉。他和凯尔·洛瑞组成了联盟最佳二人组之一，只是不幸撞上了勒布朗·詹姆斯长期统治东部的时代。
杰伦·布伦森率领尼克斯夺得自1973年以来的首个NBA总冠军，这一荣耀在纽约内外都备受推崇。(Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
杰伦·布伦森：11号，纽约尼克斯
尼克斯夺冠了，而布伦森是他们最好的球员。无需多言。
克莱·汤普森：11号，金州勇士
只有库里敢说自己比汤普森投得更准，而在勇士的巅峰时期，汤普森也是NBA最好的防守者之一。对金州来说，这又是一个不假思索的决定。
詹姆斯·哈登：13号，休斯敦火箭
作为NBA历史级的得分手和组织者之一，哈登退役时得分和助攻数据都将名列前茅。他拿过最佳第六人，并在俄克拉荷马城打进过总决赛（雷霆也因此有理由退役他的球衣），2018年他在火箭赢得了唯一一座MVP。哈登最辉煌的岁月不属于雷霆，但他在雷霆队史首次总决赛之旅中扮演了重要角色，这总该算数吧？
尼古拉·约基奇：15号，丹佛掘金
这有点微妙，因为卡梅罗·安东尼也穿过这个号码。这位名人堂球员没有赢得总冠军或多个MVP，但在被交易到纽约之前，他是掘金的招牌球员。也许安东尼当年执意离开丹佛，让球队把15号交给约基奇变得容易了一些，但若能看到掘金同时致敬两位球员，那将是一件美事。
乔尔·恩比德：21号，费城76人
他2023年的常规赛MVP让这个决定变得简单——即便季后赛始终未能取得突破。
吉米·巴特勒：22号，迈阿密热火
虽然结局不算圆满，但巴特勒率领热火两次打进NBA总决赛，这将成为其名人堂生涯的一部分。
德雷蒙德·格林：23号，勇士
从次轮秀到勇士传奇，格林四次入选全明星，2017年当选NBA最佳防守球员，并成为他这一代最具影响力的防守者之一。手握四座总冠军更是锦上添花。
勒布朗·詹姆斯：23号，骑士和湖人
6号已被NBA为致敬比尔·拉塞尔而退役，所以尽管詹姆斯在湖人穿过6号，也没有必要在湖人退役它——除非湖人想搞点特别的。若在湖人同时退役6号和23号，将意味着他和科比·布莱恩特在洛杉矶各有两个号码被退役。詹姆斯在迈阿密穿过6号，之后联盟于2022年退役了这一号码。
斯蒂芬·库里：30号，勇士
NBA历史最伟大的射手，可能也是所有运动项目中穿30号球衣最受欢迎的球员。
扬尼斯·阿德托昆博：34号，密尔沃基雄鹿
过去两个赛季交易申请和失望情绪带来的波澜终将平息，雄鹿终将迎回自卡里姆·阿卜杜勒-贾巴尔以来队史最伟大的大个子，为阿德托昆博退役球衣。砍下50分锁定NBA总冠军、两夺常规赛MVP、一座总决赛MVP和一座最佳防守球员奖，这些成就应该被、也必将被铭记。
凯文·杜兰特：35号，雷霆和勇士
杜兰特2014年随雷霆赢得了他唯一的常规赛MVP，随后随勇士夺得两座总冠军。质疑者会说杜兰特是加盟了一支阵容豪华的勇士才拿到冠军，但真正看过比赛的人都知道，杜兰特在那两段夺冠征程中绝非搭便车。他是勇士夺冠的关键原因，很可能也让勒布朗少拿了五六个总冠军。
卢卡·东契奇：77号，达拉斯独行侠和湖人
东契奇被交易至今仍令人难以置信。他在达拉斯将被永远爱戴，同时也有机会在湖人书写新的传奇，成为勒布朗之后扛起球队前行的超级巨星。
德文·布克是太阳的五届全明星球员，自2015年起便效力于该队。(Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
第二档——几乎板上钉钉
泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿：0号，印第安纳步行者
我至今仍在想，如果哈利伯顿没有在2025年NBA总决赛第七场撕裂右跟腱，那场比赛会走向何方。如果印第安纳赢下那场比赛，哈利伯顿将跻身第一档。在印第安纳成为受爱戴的球员意义非凡，而哈利伯顿拥有球迷喜爱的一切：他是一名优秀球员，在球场上有标志性时刻，还有极具魅力的个性。
德文·布克：1号，菲尼克斯太阳
布克离第一档只有一步之遥。如果太阳在2021年NBA总决赛中击败雄鹿，他肯定已经入选。但如果连史蒂夫·纳什的球衣都还没退役（他已入选球队荣誉戒指），也许布克也要等上很久。
维克托·文班亚马：1号，马刺
给这件事一点时间。他只打了三个赛季，但已经是两届全明星，手握一座最佳防守球员奖杯，入选过最佳阵容，还打进过总决赛。
凯德·坎宁安：2号，底特律活塞
底特律的标准是总冠军。活塞还没到那一步，但坎宁安具备成为常年MVP候选人的潜质。
巴姆·阿德巴约：13号，热火
到退役时，阿德巴约将拥有一份亮眼的篮球履历，包括单场砍下83分。热火一向善待自己的重要球员，而阿德巴约多年来一直是“热火文化”的标杆人物。
朱·霍勒迪：21号，雄鹿
霍勒迪帮助雄鹿在2021年夺得总冠军，并一直是联盟最好的攻防一体球员之一。那个赛季阿德托昆博是雄鹿最好的球员，但霍勒迪是球队的领袖，引领密尔沃基登顶。雄鹿已经退役了布莱恩·温特斯（32号）和小朱尼奥·布里奇曼（2号）的球衣——他们都是优秀球员，但既非名人堂成员也非冠军成员。
克里斯·米德尔顿：22号，雄鹿
作为夺冠征程中阿德托昆博身边的另一位领袖和重要拼图，米德尔顿在雄鹿效力期间是一名全明星前锋。
七届全明星、2018年扣篮大赛冠军多诺万·米切尔上赛季率领骑士打进东部决赛。(Mark J. Rebilas/ Imagn Images)
第三档——方向正确，但为时尚早
切特·霍姆格伦：7号，雷霆
他2026年的季后赛之旅收尾不佳，但如果霍姆格伦在未来几年持续入选全明星并拿下最佳防守球员奖，他将有资格入选——只要文班保持健康，这可不是件容易的事。
杰伦·威廉姆斯：8号，雷霆
更多的全明星出场和更好的健康状况将让威廉姆斯有望把自己的球衣挂上俄克拉荷马城的球馆上空，尤其是如果雷霆成为这个时代的NBA王朝。
库珀·弗拉格：32号，独行侠
好吧，对弗拉格来说现在还太早。但如果他的新秀赛季能说明什么的话，那就是独行侠已经拥有了他们的下一位伟大球员。这位卫冕NBA最佳新秀上赛季场均得到21.7分、6.7个篮板和4.5次助攻——而这仅仅是个开始。
多诺万·米切尔：45号，骑士
骑士上赛季打进东部决赛有所帮助。米切尔在克利夫兰效力越久，这件事就越有可能发生。
第四档——只是不确定该属于哪支球队
保罗·乔治：13号，步行者和洛杉矶快船
乔治在印第安纳表现出色，但马克·杰克逊穿过同样的号码并打进过NBA总决赛——他的球衣却没有退役。乔治可以说是一位影响力大得多的球员，所以如果印第安纳向他致敬也不足为奇。快船似乎是合乎逻辑的选择，尽管乔治的出勤率更高，但许多人仍认为快船是伦纳德的球队。不过，乔治多年来一直保持高水平。他只在俄克拉荷马城效力了两个赛季，但2018-19赛季在雷霆的表现堪称MVP级别——那个赛季他在MVP和最佳防守球员投票中均排名第三。
艾尔·霍福德：15号，老鹰；42号，凯尔特人
说真的，亚特兰大应该是唯一的选择。他是老鹰那个时代最稳定的球员，作为一名可靠的中锋多次入选全明星。
第五档——城市英雄
2026年NBA冠军尼克斯队中除杰伦·布伦森以外的所有球员
卡尔-安东尼·唐斯有机会凭借在纽约的更多时间靠自己的实力提升档次，但这支球队中的每个人都将被纽约永远爱戴。迈克·布朗的战术板说不定也能办个退役仪式。
TJ·麦康奈尔：9号，步行者
如果步行者在2025年夺冠，麦康奈尔的传奇色彩将更加浓厚。他正在备战在印第安纳的第八个赛季。
亚历克斯·卡鲁索：9号，雷霆
卡鲁索是球场上终极的粘合剂，总能做出赢球的选择。他是一名替补，却凭借拼劲、防守和关键投篮产生巨大影响，这让他所到之处都深受球迷喜爱。湖人球迷至今仍在想念卡鲁索，如今他正在为雷霆建功立业。
迈克·康利：11号，孟菲斯灰熊
康利是孟菲斯最辉煌时代的定海神针。他在灰熊从未入选全明星，但他是“磨砺与绞杀”军团的一员，与扎克·兰多夫、托尼·阿伦和马克·加索尔并肩作战，深受这座城市爱戴。
史蒂文·亚当斯：12号，雷霆
雷霆曾因尼克·科利森作为队友的影响力退役了他的4号球衣。亚当斯是一位深受爱戴的队友，在俄克拉荷马城的七个赛季里，他在球场上的作用比科利森更为重要。雷霆为亚当斯办退役仪式应该毫无障碍。
弗雷德·范弗利特：23号，猛龙
看看猛龙2019年击败金州勇士的夺冠之战，你就会明白为什么范弗利特在多伦多可能永远不用自己掏钱吃饭了。如果凯尔·洛瑞还在打球，他也会出现在这份名单上。
贾马尔·默里：27号，掘金
如果你只看过默里在2023年季后赛对阵湖人的表现，他会排在第一档。默里只入选过一次全明星，但他在2023年丹佛夺冠阵容中作为约基奇身边的二当家的角色至关重要。
由生成式 AI 翻译，翻译内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
查看原文：Which active NBA players deserve to have their numbers retired?
Which active NBA players deserve to have their numbers retired?
Can CP3 get some love?
Given how Chris Paul’s final season with the LA Clippers ended, it’s not surprising the team would allow Bradley Beal to wear Paul’s No. 3 this season. Some consider Paul the greatest Clipper of all time, but he was sent home in the middle of the night last December and never played another NBA game before announcing his retirement in February.
The Clippers don’t have any retired jerseys hanging at Intuit Dome, but Paul in February said he was told his jersey has a chance. Until then, Beal, if he chooses, can wear the number this season. Beal wore No. 3 with the Washington Wizards and the Phoenix Suns; perhaps No. 0 was bad luck last season — he played in only six games before undergoing season-ending surgery for a left hip fracture — and he wants to change things up.
The Clippers still can retire No. 3 at any point, with the caveat that Beal is the last player to wear the number. Given the Clippers’ recent news, a “Chris Paul Night” sooner rather than later would be a nice distraction.
As we prepare for the upcoming season, are there untouchable numbers that could be (or should be) retired? Several active players have numbers that will not be worn again when they’re done. Who is most likely to have their number honored?
Denver’s Nikola Jokić is an NBA champion and a three-time league MVP. (Ron Chenoy / USA Today)
Tier 1 – Definitely will be retired
Damian Lillard: No. 0, Portland Trail Blazers
The No. 0 — or the “letter O” to represent Oakland, Calif. (his hometown), Ogden, Utah (he played college ball at Weber State), and Oregon (playing pro ball for the Blazers) — is a jersey no one will wear again in Portland.
Jayson Tatum: No. 0, Boston Celtics
Boston has so many retired numbers that its rafters resemble a collection of bingo cards. Tatum will definitely be up there, though.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: No. 2, Oklahoma City Thunder
Two MVPs, an NBA Finals MVP and a league championship make this an easy decision.
Kawhi Leonard: No. 2, Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs
Leonard has played for three teams, and the iffiest of them might be the Clippers based on the recent NBA investigation and punishment. Leonard’s exit from San Antonio was less than graceful, too. Still, the Spurs have traditionally retired the numbers of key contributors to championship teams, such as Avery Johnson, Sean Elliott and Bruce Bowen. But Leonard will be forever loved in Toronto for leading the Raptors to the 2019 NBA title (with potentially more heroics to come). He also won finals MVP with both the Raptors and Spurs.
Kyrie Irving: No. 2, Cleveland Cavaliers
The late shot over Golden State’s Stephen Curry in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals won Cleveland a championship, and Irving is one of the best players in franchise history. Is there anything else that needs to be said?
Anthony Davis: No. 3, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers always retire the numbers of their Hall of Famers who made an impact in purple and gold. Davis was arguably the best defender in the NBA when the Lakers won the 2020 championship.
Anthony Edwards: No. 5, Minnesota Timberwolves
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Edwards win at least one MVP award. Players at that level get their jerseys retired.
Jaylen Brown: No. 7, Celtics
Jaylen Brown asked Dee Brown, the 1991 NBA dunk champion, if he could wear No. 7. Jaylen took the number, won finals MVP in 2024 and became an elite two-way player.
DeMar DeRozan: No. 10, Raptors
DeRozan’s number deserves this honor for his time in Toronto. He and Kyle Lowry formed one of the best tandems in the league, with the misfortune of playing during LeBron James’ long Eastern Conference tenure.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks to their first NBA title since 1973, an honor revered in and outside of New York. (Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
Jalen Brunson: No. 11, New York Knicks
The Knicks won a championship, and Brunson was their best player. Case closed.
Klay Thompson: No. 11, Golden State Warriors
Only Curry can claim he’s a better shooter than Thompson, who was also one of the NBA’s best defenders during the Warriors’ peak. This is another no-brainer for Golden State.
James Harden: No. 13, Houston Rockets
One of the NBA’s all-time great scorers and playmakers, Harden will retire highly ranked in scoring and assists. He won Sixth Man of the Year and reached the finals in Oklahoma City (which also can be debated for a jersey retirement), and in 2018, he won his lone MVP with the Rockets. Harden’s greatest days weren’t with the Thunder, but him playing a big part in OKC’s first finals appearance has to count for something, right?
Nikola Jokić: No. 15, Denver Nuggets
This is somewhat tricky, because Carmelo Anthony also wore this number. The Hall of Famer didn’t win a championship or multiple MVPs, but he was a standout player for the Nuggets before he was traded to New York. Maybe Anthony wanting out of Denver made passing on No. 15 to Jokić easier, but it would be nice to see the Nuggets honor both players.
Joel Embiid: No. 21, Philadelphia 76ers
His league MVP in 2023 makes this an easy decision — even if the postseason success hasn’t happened.
Jimmy Butler: No. 22, Miami Heat
Things didn’t end well in Miami, but Butler helped lead the Heat to two NBA Finals appearances as part of what will be a Hall of Fame career.
Draymond Green: No. 23, Warriors
From second-round pick to Warriors legend, Green made four All-Star teams, won NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and became one of the most impactful defenders of his generation. Being a part of four championships doesn’t hurt, either.
LeBron James: No. 23, Cavaliers and Lakers
No. 6 has been retired by the NBA in honor of Bill Russell, so even though James wore it with the Lakers, there’s no need to retire it there — unless the Lakers want to be extra. Retiring both No. 6 and No. 23 with the Lakers would mean he and Kobe Bryant would each have two numbers retired in Los Angeles. James wore No. 6 in Miami before the league retired it in 2022.
Steph Curry: No. 30, Warriors
The greatest shooter in NBA history might also be the most popular player to wear No. 30 in any sport.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: No. 34, Milwaukee Bucks
The emotions of the last two seasons of trade requests and frustration will eventually subside, and the Bucks will eventually welcome back their best big man since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to retire Antetokounmpo’s number. Dropping 50 points to clinch an NBA championship, winning two regular-season MVPs, a finals MVP and an NBA Defensive Player of the Year award should be and will be celebrated.
Kevin Durant: No. 35, Thunder and Warriors
Durant won his only regular-season MVP in 2014 with the Thunder, and he won two championships with the Warriors. The cynics will say Durant joined a loaded Warriors team to win his titles, but those who actually watched the games know Durant wasn’t just along for the ride on those runs. He was a key reason the Warriors won and likely kept LeBron from having five or six titles.
Luka Dončić: No. 77, Dallas Mavericks and Lakers
It’s still wild to believe Dončić was traded. He’ll be forever beloved in Dallas and has a chance to create a new legacy with the Lakers as the superstar to carry the franchise forward after LeBron.
Devin Booker is a five-time All-Star for the Suns. He’s also been with the team since 2015. (Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
Tier 2 – Almost certain to happen
Tyrese Haliburton: No. 0, Indiana Pacers
I still wonder how Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals would have gone if Haliburton hadn’t torn his right Achilles tendon. Had Indiana won that game, Haliburton would be in Tier 1. Being a beloved hooper in Indiana is different, and Haliburton has all the things fans love. He’s a good player who has iconic moments on the court and a magnetic personality.
Devin Booker: No. 1, Phoenix Suns
Booker is close to being in Tier 1. Had the Suns beaten the Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals, he definitely would be. But if Steve Nash’s number still hasn’t been retired (he’s in the Ring of Honor), maybe Booker will be waiting for a long time, too.
Victor Wembanyama: No. 1, Spurs
Just give this some time. He’s played only three seasons, but he’s already a two-time All-Star with an NBA Defensive Player of the Year trophy, an All-NBA selection and a finals appearance.
Cade Cunningham: No. 2, Detroit Pistons
The standard in Detroit is championships. The Pistons aren’t there, but Cunningham has the makings of a perennial MVP candidate.
Bam Adebayo: No. 13, Heat
By the time he retires, Adebayo will have an impressive basketball resume, including scoring 83 points in a game. The Heat always take care of their important players, and Adebayo has been the standard-bearer for “Heat Culture” for years.
Jrue Holiday: No. 21, Bucks
Holiday helped the Bucks win a championship in 2021 and has been one of the league’s better two-way players. Antetokounmpo was the Bucks’ best player that season, but Holiday led the team and helped guide Milwaukee to the title. The Bucks have already retired the numbers of Brian Winters (32) and Junior Bridgeman (2) — who were good players but not Hall of Famers or champions.
Khris Middleton: No. 22, Bucks
Another leader and big complementary piece to Antetokounmpo during the title run, Middleton was an All-Star forward during his time with the Bucks.
Donovan Mitchell, a seven-time All-Star who also won the slam-dunk contest in 2018, led the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference finals last season. (Mark J. Rebilas/ Imagn Images)
Tier 3 – On the right track, but it’s early
Chet Holmgren: No. 7, Thunder
His 2026 playoff run didn’t end well, but Holmgren could have a case in a few years if he continues to make All-Star teams and manages to get a Defensive Player of the Year award — which won’t be easy as long as Wemby is healthy.
Jalen Williams: No. 8, Thunder
More All-Star appearances and better health would put Williams in line to have his jersey in the Oklahoma City rafters, especially if the Thunder become this generation’s NBA dynasty.
Cooper Flagg: No. 32, Mavericks
OK, it’s very early for Flagg. But if his rookie season is any indication, the Mavs have their next great player already. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year averaged 21.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists last season — and he’s just getting started.
Donovan Mitchell: No. 45, Cavaliers
The Cavs advancing to the Eastern Conference finals last season helps. The longer Mitchell plays in Cleveland, the more likely this happens.
Tier 4 – Just not sure which team
Paul George: No. 13, Pacers and LA Clippers
George was good in Indiana, but Mark Jackson wore the same number and made it to the NBA Finals — and his jersey isn’t retired. George arguably was a far more impactful player, so it wouldn’t be a shock if Indiana honored him. The Clippers seem like the logical option, but even though George was more available, many still regarded the Clippers as Leonard’s team. However, George has played at a high level for years. He spent only two seasons with Oklahoma City, but his 2018-19 campaign with the Thunder was MVP-worthy. He finished third in both the MVP and NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting that season.
Al Horford: No. 15, Hawks; No. 42, Celtics
Seriously, Atlanta should be the only option. He was the Hawks’ steadiest player during his era, making All-Star teams as a solid center.
Tier 5 – Local Heroes
Every Knicks player not named Jalen Brunson from the 2026 NBA champions
Karl-Anthony Towns has a chance to move up on his own merits with more time in New York, but everyone on this team will be forever loved in New York. Mike Brown’s clipboard might get a retirement ceremony, too.
TJ McConnell: No. 9, Pacers
If the Pacers won it all in 2025, McConnell’s legend would be even more significant. He’s gearing up for his eighth season in Indy.
Alex Caruso: No. 9, Thunder
Caruso is an ultimate connector on the court who makes winning plays. He’s a reserve who makes big impacts with hustle, defense and timely shooting, which has endeared him to fans wherever he’s played. Lakers fans still miss Caruso, who now makes plays for the Thunder.
Mike Conley: No. 11, Memphis Grizzlies
Conley was a steady presence during Memphis’ best era. He didn’t make an All-Star team with the Grizzlies, but he’s part of the “Grit and Grind” crew that included Zach Randolph, Tony Allen and Marc Gasol, and he is beloved in the city.
Steven Adams: No. 12, Thunder
The Thunder retired Nick Collison’s No. 4 for his impact as a teammate. Adams was a beloved teammate and, on the court, more important than Collison during his seven seasons in Oklahoma City. It seems like the Thunder would have no problem honoring Adams.
Fred VanVleet: No. 23, Raptors
Watch the Raptors’ title-clinching game over Golden State in 2019, and it’ll make sense why VanVleet probably never has to buy a meal in Toronto again. If Kyle Lowry were still playing, he’d be on this list as well.
Jamal Murray: No. 27, Nuggets
If you only saw Murray play against the Lakers in the 2023 playoffs, he’d be Tier 1. Murray has made only one All-Star team, but his role on that 2023 Denver title team as the No. 2 to Jokić was critical.
By Jason Jones / The Athletic
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