The NBA world received a pleasant surprise when the Chicago Bulls announced that Derrick Rose's jersey would be lifted to the rafters of the United Center later this season. While many Charlotte Hornets fans are probably rejoicing, some of them may have brought up how the Hornets have yet to hold a jersey retirement ceremony to commemorate a franchise legend.
Charlotte does have two retired numbers. Bill Russell's No. 6 was retired league-wide in 2022 shortly after the hoops icon's death. Over 20 years earlier, the Hornets raised the No. 13 to the rafters in honor of Bobby Phills, who died in a car accident in the middle of the 1999-00 season while still playing for the team.
It remains to be seen if the Hornets will bestow the distinction on someone else in the future. It would certainly be gratifying to watch the club arrange a halftime ceremony similar to what Rose will grace when the Bulls host the Boston Celtics in January. However, it's still unclear if anyone who has been a part of the organization is deserving of the honor.
A look at the candidates whose jerseys can be retired by Hornets
Any of a trio of current players can challenge to be the first one to have his number retired for his contributions to Hornets basketball. LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel each have the potential to be the franchise GOAT. Of course, that would be contingent on them staying in Charlotte for most, if not the entirety, of their careers.
Some former Hornets have also been brought up in these kinds of discussions, namely Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, and Glen Rice. However, none of them stayed for long in Buzz City for more than five years, with Johnson being the longest-tenured Hornet among the three. Interestingly, each of the three has had his jersey retired (Mourning by the Miami Heat and Johnson and Rice by their respective college alma maters), but the ship has probably sailed on Charlotte giving any of them the same honor.
Perhaps the most reasonable choice would be Kemba Walker. The retired point guard has been deemed by some as the franchise GOAT after leading it to two playoff appearances, securing three All-Star nods and an all-NBA selection as a Hornet, and, possibly most importantly, showing loyalty to the Hive by not leaving until near the end of his prime.
Some fans have probably started dreading whether Walker will ever see his jersey raised at Spectrum Center because the former NCAA champion actually retired months ahead of Rose. So, the clock may already be ticking for the Hornets.