Nuggets: 6 Retired Jersey Numbers That Carmelo Anthony and Nikola Jokic Will Join Soon

(Photo : Christian Petersen/Getty Images) PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 15: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on November 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona.

There is an ongoing debate right now with the Denver Nuggets on which no. 15 jersey should be retired. It is the same number worn by previously by Carmelo Anthony and presently by two-time NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic.

Whoever gets the nod will join the six jerseys that are hoisted over the Ball Arena per KDVR.com. The six jersey numbers are from these players:

Byron Beck (40)
Dan Issel (44)
David Thompson (33)
Fat Lever (12)
Alex English (2)
Dikembe Mutombo (55)

Carmelo Anthony officially retired from the NBA on May 22. Glancing at his basketball resume, there is no doubt that the 10-time All-Star’s number deserves a place in the rafters.

Given the performances of the players on the list, there is no question that Carmelo Anthony deserves a jersey retirement ceremony, USA Today reported.

Suiting up for the Nuggets from 2003 to 2011, Anthony managed to push the team to the Western Conference Finals in 2009 before bowing to the Los Angeles Lakers, NBC Sports reported.

That feat alone places the 6-foot-7 player alongside what other former Nuggets were able to achieve.

Should Jokic’s NBA title be an issue?

Had Anthony and Jokic worn different numbers, there wouldn’t have to be much of an issue. But the problem is that both donned the same jersey number.

The easy way to resolve it is to have both jersey numbers retired. Anthony has wrapped up his NBA career and it will take years before Nikola Jokic’s jersey retirement happens.

George Karl believes this is the best way to go, suggesting that both jerseys be retired.

Do it @nuggets 👍

Honor your history! 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/UfGDkYMjPB
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) November 4, 2023

R.J. Hampton, currently with the Miami Heat and someone who played alongside Jokic in 2020, seemingly agrees with what the 2013 NBA Coach of the Year is suggesting.