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It’s hard to define the word ‘cool’. What’s cool to one person might seem dorky to another.
But there is no doubt that the NBA has the coolest jerseys of any league, ever.
The NBA, unlike some other leagues, allows and even encourages teams to go outside the box and get creative.
And while this sometimes results in jerseys that look less than stellar, it also often results in jerseys that just scream cool.
Check out our list below of the coolest NBA jerseys. You’ll find a nice mix of throwbacks, current jerseys and jerseys made for special, one-off occasions.
If you disagree with anything on this list, and you probably will, feel free to leave a comment down below.
Read: The Best NBA All Star Jerseys
Coolest NBA Jerseys
#1. Utah Jazz Purple Mountains
These were the jerseys Stockton and Malone wore when Utah was making back-to-back trips to the NBA finals.
The contrast of the white and navy-blue/purple looks so classic, and yet the mountains and the Jazz wordmark look different and funky at the same time.
If you’re looking to buy these Utah Jazz jerseys, I’d recommend grabbing the Mitchell & Ness editions, as the versions Nike produced in 2019 sized those glorious purple mountains down, which I’m personally not a fan of.
Read: The Best NBA Jerseys
#2. Miami Heat Vice Edition (Pink)
When I saw these Vice Edition jerseys that the Miami Heat released, I immediately wondered, “Why are these not the Heat’s permanent jerseys?”
Not only do they look great, but they capture the feel and culture of Miami perfectly.
I have to give bonus points to the Pink jersey, because of the gradient that blends seamlessly together.
The baby blue jerseys also get an honourable mention here as well.
Read: The Best College Basketball Jerseys
#3. Los Angeles Lakers Royal Blue
These jerseys scream classic and hardwood basketball.
The fact that they’re so different from the classic Lakers Gold adds to these jerseys’ coolness.
These were the jerseys of the Jerry West era, which as we know was one of the most influential era’s in basketball. Jerry West, to this day, continues to exert influence on the League.
The font used for “Los Angeles” is what sells the jersey for me. It’s cool without being goofy, and classic without being boring.
Read: The Best Throwback NBA Jerseys
#4. Dallas Mavericks City Edition
This might be the most controversial jersey to make this list.
But I personally can appreciate this graffiti-inspired design and the fact that the Mavs went outside of the box, tapping into Dallas’ vibrant art scene for inspiration.
The color gradient also looks cool and the fact that the Mavs don’t usually don colors like these adds to the cool factor.
Read: The Best Retro NBA Jerseys
#5. Chicago Bulls Road Red
These are the jerseys that the greatest player of all time played in.
If that doesn’t make them cool, I don’t know what will.
The trims on the jersey are what make the primary red really pop out. I love the black and white trims around the arms and neck, and the classic Bulls graphics timelessly looks great.
#6. Orlando Magic Electric Blue
The stripes on these look fantastic, offering that classic, ‘big club’ feel to the jerseys, like the New York Yankees.
Also, I’m a sucker for color schemes that really pop and stand out, and these fit the bill.
I especially like how the ‘A’ in Orlando is a star, and the font on the numbers captures some kind of magical feel.
Plus, Shaq played in these jerseys, which only adds to the cool factor.
#7. Phoenix Suns Throwback
Somehow, the Suns have managed to make orange and black look good.
These don’t look like Halloween jerseys like most black and orange jerseys do.
Instead, they look cool, retro and modern all at the same time.
If you flip the jersey upside down, the Suns wordmark still reads as Suns.
If that’s not cool, I don’t know what is.
#8. Atlanta Hawks Pac-Man Red
These vibrant, colorful and eye-popping jerseys were worn by some of the best players to ever play in the NBA.
I personally love the Hawks wordmark on the white mesh cutout. These jerseys just ooze cool and clean.
#9. Minnesota Wolves Purple Reign
These jerseys were made in honor of the artist formerly known as Prince.
Just that alone is enough to land these jerseys on this cool list.
But the electric purple accents and the Wolves wordmark just look so clean and classic as well, and I love the color blend – it’s just so easy on the eyes.
Overall these jerseys are smooth, just like Prince.
#10. Utah Jazz Orange City Edition
These might be the most polarizing jerseys on this list, and probably for good reason.
But I love the color gradient on these jerseys, and I can appreciate the departure from the classic Jazz uniforms of the past, all of which have been great as well.
These uniforms represent the southern canyons of Utah and the glow of the sunset on the red rocks.
That they’re just so different is what makes them really cool.
Read: The Best Places to Buy NBA Jerseys Reviewed (Buyer’s Guide)
