The Los Angeles Lakers will honor a legendary figure during the 2024-25 season by featuring his number on their jerseys.
Throughout their history, the Lakers have had many superstars, but none have had as profound an impact as the individual they will commemorate. Here’s an overview of why the No. 44 will be prominent this season.
The No. 44 on the Lakers’ jerseys pays tribute to Jerry West, who passed away at 86 in June. West was integral to the Lakers’ franchise for most of his NBA career. Known for being the face of the NBA logo, he was an outstanding player, coach, and executive over several decades. Although he worked with other teams later on, his legacy remains closely tied to his time in LA, where he wore No. 44 as a player.
The Minneapolis Lakers selected West with the second pick in the 1960 NBA Draft after he was a two-time All-American at West Virginia. He became one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, earning 14 All-Star selections and making first-team All-NBA ten times.
He led the Lakers to an NBA title in 1972 and was named NBA Finals MVP in 1969, even in a losing effort against the Boston Celtics. West played all 14 seasons of his professional career with the Lakers.
After retiring, West became the Lakers’ head coach in 1976, guiding the team for three years. Following his coaching tenure, he transitioned to scouting and later became the general manager before the 1982-83 season. In that role, he built the “Showtime” dynasty, leading the team to five championships in the 1980s.
After some early 1990s struggles, West revitalized the Lakers by signing Shaquille O’Neal, acquiring Kobe Bryant’s draft rights, and hiring Phil Jackson as head coach in 1999. This trio brought the franchise three consecutive titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
In 2002, West departed the Lakers to become the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies, seeking a new challenge. He successfully transformed the franchise into a competitive team and was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2004 before retiring in 2007.
West later joined the Golden State Warriors as a board member in 2011, contributing to their championship success in the 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 seasons, marking the seventh and eighth titles won by teams with West in an executive role.
In June 2017, West took a position with the Los Angeles Clippers as a board member, where he concluded his career after several years of service.
