NBA Season Ahead to Be the Most Fashion-Forward Yet
In the NBA, the 2022-23 season is set to bring a wave of nostalgia as several teams revisit and remix popular past jersey designs. This trend is a departure from the wintry aesthetics that have dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves' City Edition jerseys in recent years, which have not been met with success.
One team that has successfully tapped into the past is the Timberwolves themselves. Their 2021-22 City Edition jersey combined elements from their original blue and green colours and styles from different eras, creating a highly praised nostalgic design that resonates with fans of the franchise's uniform history.
Another team that has followed suit is the Toronto Raptors, who also released a City Edition jersey blending interesting aspects from their uniform history, earning high marks for effectively balancing past design elements.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans' City Edition uniform, while simplistic, was criticized for lacking distinctive historical elements, reflecting the relative youth of the franchise and their limited jersey history.
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, this trend of bringing back or remixing popular past jersey designs continues. The Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Utah Jazz are all reviving previous designs, such as the Warriors' cream-colored Oakland tribute design, the Mavericks' "Pegasus"-inspired jerseys, and the Jazz's "Dark Mode" uniform based on red rock themes.
As the NBA calendar enters a period of dormancy, with free agency, trade season, draft, and Summer League concluded, fans can look forward to the return of old jerseys. At least 11 teams, according to basketball reporter Evan Sidery of Forbes, are bringing back old, fan-favorite jerseys this season.
Among these teams, the Timberwolves are poised for a potential streak of success with a new, exciting core, and the return of their black Christmas tree uniforms from their glory years is likely to be a popular decision among fans. These uniforms, worn by Kevin Garnett during his tenure with the team, evoke the frigidity of a Minnesota winter and are expected to be a significant upgrade from recent Timberwolves uniforms.
While nine teams have already announced they are bringing back old jerseys, details on the new uniforms of other teams, such as the Knicks and Spurs, are yet to be revealed. It remains to be seen which teams will be bringing back jerseys that are not exciting or represent a huge upgrade.
Nevertheless, the return of old jerseys is expected to be a soothing balm for NBA fans, providing a modern retro feel that celebrates the league's rich history and the memories it has created. As players gear up for the new season, videos of them training, getting in shape, or modeling new uniforms are already making their way online, promising an exciting season ahead.
GQ recommends keeping an eye on the 2022-23 NBA season as several teams, including the Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors, have embraced nostalgia by remixing popular past jersey designs, with the Timberwolves' retro black Christmas tree uniforms being a particularly exciting revival. Basketball fans can also look forward to videos showcasing NBA players training, getting in shape, or modeling new uniforms as part of the upcoming season's anticipation. Sports enthusiasts who enjoy watching basketball will appreciate this throwback trend and the opportunity to reconnect with the league's storied history.
