trail blazers retired numbers tell the story of a franchise that has honored 13 legends with banners hanging in the rafters of the Moda Center. That is one of the largest retired-number collections in the NBA, and it includes pioneers from the 1977 championship team alongside modern icons.
The problem is that most fans can name four or five of them and stop there. They miss the early-era players, the awkward jersey swaps, and the rules that decide who gets a banner.
This guide breaks down the full list, the criteria behind each honor, the numbers that stay in circulation, and the practical details you need to see them in person.
What the Full List of Retired Jerseys Actually Includes
The franchise has retired 13 numbers, and the first thing to understand is that the list spans five decades of basketball history. The earliest honorees date to the 1970s title run, while the most recent additions came in the 2000s. Each banner represents a different era, a different style of play, and often a different set of criteria.
Any fan digging into trail blazers retired numbers quickly learns that the collection is broader than it first appears.
Here is the complete roster of honored numbers:
| Number | Player | Era | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Larry Weinberg | Front office | Team's first owner |
| 13 | Dave Twardzik | 1970s | Title-team guard |
| 14 | Lionel Hollins | 1970s | 1977 champion |
| 15 | Larry Steele | 1970s | Fan-favorite defender |
| 20 | Maurice Lucas | 1970s | Enforcer and leader |
| 22 | Clyde Drexler | 1980s–90s | Franchise scoring leader |
| 30 | Bob Gross | 1970s | Title-team forward |
| 32 | Bill Walton | 1970s | 1977 Finals MVP |
| 36 | Lloyd Neal | 1970s | Original big man |
| 45 | Geoff Petrie | 1970s | First star |
| 77 | Jack Ramsay | Coach | 1977 title coach |
Note that two entries sit outside the usual player pattern. Number 1 honors an owner, and number 77 honors a coach. That mix is part of why trail blazers retired numbers confuse casual fans who expect only players on the list. The jersey retirement ceremony for each honoree followed a different timeline, too.
Some banners went up within a year of retirement, while others waited more than a decade.
How to apply this: Save the table above and check it against any jersey you see at a game or in a photo, so you can identify the honoree instantly.
The Criteria That Decide Who Gets a Banner
There is no single written rule that governs jersey retirement, and that flexibility is deliberate. Teams weigh longevity, championship contribution, community impact, and off-court legacy. A player who spent eight seasons with the club usually outranks a short-term star, even if the short-term star had better raw numbers.
Consider Bill Walton. His career was shortened by injuries, yet his 1977 Finals MVP performance and his role in the only championship in franchise history made number 32 an easy call. The same logic explains why Maurice Lucas earned a banner despite never leading the team in scoring.
The organization has historically favored players who defined an era over players who merely posted big stats. That is why trail blazers retired numbers lean heavily toward the 1977 title team. Seven of the honorees played or coached on that roster.
A practical test fans can use: ask whether the player changed how the team was perceived. If the answer is yes, a banner is likely. If the answer is "he was good for three years," the odds drop sharply.
How to apply this: When debating a current player's Hall-of-Fame or jersey case, score them on era-defining impact rather than counting stats alone.
Why Some Great Players Never Got a Banner
Not every beloved player has a retired number, and the gaps are just as instructive as the honors. Several productive starters from the 1990s and 2000s never received the call. The reasons vary: short tenure, a trade that ended the relationship badly, or simply a crowded list.
One common scenario involves players who were excellent but played during a down era. Their stats look strong in isolation, but they never anchored a deep playoff run. The selection process tends to reward playoff success over regular-season production.
There is also a practical constraint. Retiring too many numbers creates roster problems, since active players cannot wear them. Every new banner removes a jersey from circulation. That math makes teams cautious, and it explains why trail blazers retired numbers have grown slowly in recent years.
The franchise has been selective by design. Honoring a player is a permanent decision, and reversing it is essentially impossible. That permanence raises the bar for every candidate, and it is worth remembering whenever trail blazers retired numbers come up in a debate.
How to apply this: If you are arguing for a specific player, build the case around playoff runs and tenure length, not just per-game averages.
How to See the Banners in Person
The retired jerseys hang in the rafters of the Moda Center, and seeing them is straightforward if you plan ahead. The banners are visible from most seats, though upper-level sections give the clearest straight-on view. Arrive early, because the arena fills quickly on game nights.
Here is a simple plan for a first visit:
- Buy a ticket in the 300-level center sections for the best angle on the rafters.
- Arrive 45 minutes before tip-off to walk the concourse and read the team history displays.
- Check the official Portland Trail Blazers site for arena tour availability, since guided tours cover the rafters and the history exhibits.
- Photograph the banners before the lights dim for player introductions.
For fans who cannot attend, the team's official channels post arena photography and ceremony footage. You can also track schedule and ticket details through the NBA league site.
The experience matters because trail blazers retired numbers are physical objects, not just trivia. Standing under 13 banners makes the franchise's history concrete in a way a list never can.
How to apply this: Book a 300-level center seat and arrive early, then photograph the rafters before the game starts.
The Numbers That Stay in Circulation
A retired number is off-limits to active players, which creates a quiet roster puzzle every season. New signings sometimes have to pick a different jersey because their preferred number is already hanging in the rafters. That constraint is a real factor in uniform negotiations.
The list of unavailable numbers includes 1, 13, 14, 15, 20, 22, 30, 32, 36, 45, and 77. Any player who wants one of those has to request an exception, and exceptions are rare. Most simply choose another number.
This is where trail blazers retired numbers affect the present-day team, not just the history books. Draft picks often arrive with a college number that is already retired, forcing a quick switch before media day.
The rule is absolute in practice. No active player wears a retired jersey, and the equipment staff enforces it without debate. That consistency is part of what gives the banners their weight.
How to apply this: Before buying a custom jersey, check the retired list so you do not order a number the team will never issue.
Frequently Asked Questions About trail blazers retired numbers
Who decides which players get a retired jersey?
The decision rests with team ownership and the front office, often in consultation with former players and staff. There is no fan vote and no league mandate. In practice, the call comes after a player retires and the organization has had time to weigh legacy against longevity.
If you are tracking a candidate, watch for public comments from ownership rather than media speculation about trail blazers retired numbers.
Has any retired number ever been un-retired?
No, the organization has never reversed a jersey retirement. The honors are treated as permanent, which is why the selection process is slow and deliberate. The closest parallel in league history is a number being temporarily issued with family permission, but that is not the same as un-retiring. Treat every banner in this trail blazers retired numbers collection as final.
Can a current player request a retired number?
A player can ask, but approval is rare and usually requires the honoree's blessing. The equipment staff will not issue the jersey without sign-off. In most cases the request is declined quietly and the player picks a new number before training camp. This is one reason trail blazers retired numbers stay visible in contract and uniform news each offseason.
Do coaches and executives count toward the total?
Yes, and that is a common point of confusion. Number 1 honors the team's first owner, and number 77 honors the 1977 championship coach. So the total includes non-players, which means the count of honored individuals is not the same as the count of honored players.
Keep that distinction in mind when you cite trail blazers retired numbers in a debate.
How does the team verify a number before a ceremony?
The front office cross-checks the number against the full retired list, league uniform rules, and the honoree's own records before announcing a date. Ceremonies are typically scheduled for a home game with family present. If you want to attend, monitor the official schedule for announced ceremony nights tied to trail blazers retired numbers.
Conclusion
The retired jerseys in Portland reward fans who look past the famous names. Keep these points in mind:
- The list covers 13 numbers and spans players, a coach, and an owner.
- Selection favors era-defining impact and championship contribution over raw stats.
- Retired numbers stay off-limits to active players, which shapes roster decisions.
- The banners hang in the Moda Center and are best viewed from 300-level center seats.
Your next step is simple: pull up the team's official schedule, pick a home game, and see the rafters for yourself. Understanding trail blazers retired numbers turns a casual watch into a history lesson every time you visit the arena.
