Lakers to Honor Jerry West with No. 44 Patch

The Los Angeles Lakers will honor the late Jerry West by wearing a commemorative No. 44 patch on their jerseys throughout the entire 2024-25 NBA season. This tribute recognizes West’s monumental contributions as a player, coach, and executive, including leading the Lakers to nine NBA Finals appearances and one championship as a player, and architecting the Showtime Lakers and the Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O'Neal era. West passed away in June at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest figures in basketball history. The team will also hold a special tribute on opening night, October 22, against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite his strained relationship with the franchise in his later years, West’s impact on the Lakers and the NBA as a whole remains indelible.