Previewing Potential Utah Jazz ‘Classic Edition’ Jersey Options For 2020-21 Season

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – During the past two NBA seasons, the Utah Jazz paid homage to some of the great teams in franchise history by wearing throwback or “Classic Edition” jerseys.

The NBA partnered with Nike prior to the 2017-18 season and the first Jazz “Classic Edition” was unveiled a season later.

If the past two seasons are any indication, the Jazz and Nike will show off a new retro jersey for the team to wear throughout the 2020-21 season.

Previous Utah Jazz Classic Edition Jerseys

Here’s a look at the past couple “Classic Edition” jerseys worn by the Jazz:

2018-19 Season: Purple Jazz Note (1984-96)

The first “Classic Edition” jersey revealed by Nike and the Jazz was a throwback purple “Jazz Note” jersey. During the mid-1980s the Jazz introduced an updated Mardi Gras colored jersey with the addition of the word “Utah” on top of the team’s logo.

Utah finished the season as the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference playoff race and fell to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the postseason.

2019-20 Season: Purple Mountains (1996-2004)

For the 2019-20 season, the Jazz and Nike brought back Utah’s iconic “Purple Mountain” jersey. This jersey design hails from the mid-1990s and early 2000s. Utah wore the jerseys during the only two NBA Finals appearances in franchise history in 1997 and 1998.

Future Utah Jazz Classic Edition Jersey Options

Unless the Jazz and Nike decide to bring back the “Purple Mountain” jersey for another season or revive the retro purple “Jazz Note” from the 2018-19 season, Jazz fans should expect a new introduction to the organization’s “Classic Edition” lineup.

These are some “Classic Edition” jersey options that Nike and the Jazz should consider for the 2020-21 season:

New Orleans Jazz Note (1974-1979)

The original Jazz jersey. It’s something that needs to be brought back. Before the Jazz played in Utah, the franchise sported a simple purple “Jazz Note” jersey in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Pete Maravich #44 of the New Orleans Jazz. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Original Green & Yellow Jazz Note (1979-84)

The Jazz have brought this one out of the closet before but it needs to be dusted off again. The original green and yellow “Jazz Note” jerseys scream 1980s basketball and it’s awesome. Utah rocked these throwbacks in 2010 when Sundiata Gaines hit a buzzer-beater to take down LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Maybe that good fortune will return to Utah in 2020-21.

Adrian Dantley #4 of the Utah Jazz. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Black & Copper Jazz (1998-2004)

A lot of Jazz fans might have strong feelings about this one. The black and copper Jazz jersey the franchise wore in the late 90s and early 2000s would likely revive those feelings if it were to be reintroduced for the upcoming season. The copper sides and trim call back to Utah’s old mountain logo. It’d be fun to see how the black and copper would fair almost 20 years later.

Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz. (Photo by Matt A. Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Navy Blue Utah (2004-2010)

Following the retirement of John Stockton and Karl Malone, the Jazz entered a new era and with it a new look. In 2004, Utah unveiled a new color scheme and fresh uniforms. Navy and powder blue were the team’s primary colors for the next half-decade. The jerseys were worn during Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko, and Mehmet Okur era when the team made its most recent trip to the Western Conference Finals.

Deron Williams #8 of The Utah Jazz. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Powder Blue Jazz (2006-2010)

Did anyone ask for more controversy? The Jazz introduced a powder blue jersey in 2006. It quickly replaced the black and copper jersey dismissed only two seasons prior, as the most interesting design worn by the team.

Andrei Kirilenko #47 of the Utah Jazz. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Green Jazz Note (2011-2016)

In 2011, the Jazz were in the process of bringing back the “Jazz Note” for franchise logos and jerseys. Part of the process saw the team bring back a green jersey. It was the same bright green that the organization rocked in the 1980s but it called back to that time. Utah has had a green jersey for nearly every season since 2011.

Devin Harris in the new green jazz jersey #JazzCamp pic.twitter.com/LG01TdsH

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) December 9, 2011

Green Utah (2016-2017)

In 2016, the green jersey was updated and the “Jazz Note” was replaced with the word “Utah” above the jersey number. These green jersey only lasted one season.

We'll be wearing our green jerseys for the first time today in Houston! 😍 #UTAatHOU pic.twitter.com/RyseJW8WJS

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) November 19, 2016

Short-Sleeved Pride (2016-17)

In 2016, the Jazz joined many NBA teams who had already introduced sleeved jerseys to their uniform lineup. Utah’s sleeved top was nicknamed the “Pride” jersey. The jersey featured stripes of the team’s colors along with a “J Note.” The jersey lasted one season as the NBA’s partnership with Adidas ended in 2017 and the league’s partnership with Nike began.

Pride Uniform 🎷 pic.twitter.com/4NkUMf4ugP

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) May 12, 2016

Earned (2018-19)

After making the 2018 postseason, the Jazz, along with the other teams to make the playoffs, were honored with an “Earned” jersey for the 2018-19 season. Utah’s “Earned” jersey was essentially the same design as the franchise’s current “Statement” gold jersey but green instead of gold.

The Jazz first wore the jersey against the Portland Trail Blazers on Christmas Day 2018.

These jerseys were only worn for half a season. Even though the Jazz made the postseason in 2019, the NBA and Nike did not introduce “Earned” or Christmas Day jerseys for teams for the 2019-20 season.

Green with envy 💚❇️💚

Our Earned Edition jerseys will debut 12.25.

🔗 https://t.co/bmLhyp1El8 pic.twitter.com/p33QnBqEMt

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) December 12, 2018