NBA Legend Chauncey Billups Urges Denver Nuggets to Honor Carmelo Anthony’s Legacy with Jersey Retirement

As Carmelo Anthony was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 6, 2025, the basketball world celebrated the legacy of one of the NBA’s greatest scorers. Among those advocating for Anthony’s contributions to be further recognized is NBA legend and former teammate Chauncey Billups, who has publicly called on the Denver Nuggets to retire Anthony’s No. 15 jersey. Billups, now the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, emphasized Anthony’s transformative impact on the Nuggets during his seven-and-a-half-year tenure, urging the franchise to honor him despite past tensions surrounding his 2011 trade to the New York Knicks. The call has reignited a passionate debate among fans, analysts, and the Nuggets organization, especially given the complication that current star Nikola Jokić also wears No. 15.

A Hall of Fame Moment Sparks Reflection

The 2025 Hall of Fame ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts, was a star-studded event, with Carmelo Anthony inducted alongside luminaries like Dwight Howard, Sue Bird, and Maya Moore. Anthony’s emotional speech highlighted his journey from Baltimore to NBA stardom, with a special nod to the Denver Nuggets, who drafted him third overall in 2003. “To the city of Denver and the Nuggets organization, you gave me my start,” Anthony said, his voice breaking. “You believed in a 19-year-old kid, and I’ll always be grateful.”

The speech, widely shared on X, prompted an outpouring of support from Nuggets fans, many of whom reminisced about Anthony’s electrifying performances at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets responded with a heartfelt video tribute, posted on their official X account, featuring highlights of Anthony’s tenure and a message: “Congrats to Carmelo Anthony, a Nuggets icon and now a Hall of Famer.” The exchange was a step toward reconciliation after years of strained relations following Anthony’s trade request.

It was in this context that Chauncey Billups, who played alongside Anthony in Denver from 2008 to 2011, made his case for jersey retirement. In an interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols on September 7, 2025, Billups was unequivocal: “The Nuggets need to retire Melo’s No. 15. He changed that franchise, brought them back to relevance. It’s time to put that number in the rafters.”

Anthony’s Transformative Impact on Denver

Carmelo Anthony’s arrival in Denver marked a turning point for a franchise that had struggled through the 1990s and early 2000s. Selected in the historic 2003 NBA Draft alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Anthony joined a Nuggets team coming off a 17-65 season. As a rookie, he averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, leading Denver to a 43-39 record and their first playoff appearance since 1995. This immediate impact earned him All-Rookie First Team honors and set the tone for his tenure.

Over 564 games with the Nuggets, Anthony averaged 24.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, shooting 46.2% from the field. He led Denver to the playoffs in each of his seven full seasons, a feat unmatched in franchise history at the time. His pinnacle came in the 2008-09 season, when, alongside Billups, he guided the Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. Anthony’s 27.2 points per game in that playoff run, including a 39-point outburst in Game 3, showcased his ability to compete with the NBA’s elite.

Beyond statistics, Anthony brought a swagger that energized Denver. The Pepsi Center became a destination, with fans packing the stands to watch his silky midrange jumpers and ferocious dunks. “Melo made Denver cool again,” said longtime Nuggets fan and X user @MileHighManiac. “He was our guy, our superstar. That era was special.” Anthony’s No. 15 jersey was ubiquitous, and his battles against Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and other Western Conference stars became the stuff of legend.

The Complicated Departure

Despite his on-court heroics, Anthony’s tenure in Denver ended on a sour note. By 2010, contract negotiations had stalled, and Anthony, seeking a bigger market and a clearer path to a championship, requested a trade. The saga, dubbed “Melodrama” by the media, culminated in a February 2011 blockbuster deal that sent Anthony to the New York Knicks. The trade left a bitter taste for some Nuggets fans, who felt abandoned by their franchise star. “He broke our hearts,” admitted Denver Post columnist Mark Kiszla in a 2011 article. “But you can’t deny what he did for this team.”

The fallout lingered for years. Anthony was booed during his returns to Denver as a Knick, and the Nuggets organization rarely acknowledged his contributions publicly. The rise of Nikola Jokić, who took on the No. 15 jersey in 2015, further complicated discussions about honoring Anthony, as Jokić’s own Hall of Fame-caliber career began to eclipse Anthony’s legacy.

Billups’ Case for Retirement

Chauncey Billups’ call to retire Anthony’s jersey is rooted in both personal and professional respect. As Anthony’s teammate during the Nuggets’ 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons, Billups witnessed his impact firsthand. “Melo carried us,” Billups told Nichols. “He was the guy taking the big shots, dealing with the pressure. Without him, we don’t make the Western Conference Finals. Denver needs to recognize that.”

Billups acknowledged the challenge posed by Jokić wearing No. 15. “It’s tricky because Nikola is a legend in his own right,” he said. “But Melo’s number deserves to be up there. Maybe you retire it for both someday, like the Lakers did with Kobe’s 8 and 24.” Billups suggested that the Nuggets should have acted sooner, ideally after Anthony’s retirement in 2023, to avoid the current conflict. “They missed the window a bit, but it’s not too late,” he added.

Billups’ advocacy carries weight. A Denver native and former Nuggets star himself, Billups led the team to success alongside Anthony and remains a beloved figure in Colorado. His comments have sparked a groundswell of support on X, with fans using hashtags like #Retire15 and #MeloInTheRafters to rally behind the cause. “Chauncey’s right,” posted @NuggetsNation. “Melo put us on the map. Put his jersey up!”

The Jokić Complication

The primary obstacle to retiring Anthony’s No. 15 is Nikola Jokić, the two-time NBA MVP and cornerstone of Denver’s 2023 championship team. Jokić, who chose No. 15 to honor his childhood idol, has transformed the franchise, leading the Nuggets to their first NBA title and establishing himself as one of the game’s all-time greats. Retiring No. 15 while Jokić is still active would be unprecedented and potentially awkward, as it could imply his tenure is nearing an end.

Analysts are divided on how to navigate this. ESPN’s Zach Lowe suggested a dual retirement in the future: “Once Jokić retires, you could honor both players. Melo for the 2000s, Jokić for the 2020s. It’s a unique situation, but Denver’s a big enough franchise to pull it off.” Others, like Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey, argue that Anthony’s contributions, while significant, may not warrant retirement given the trade request. “Melo was great, but Jokić is the greatest Nugget ever. That number belongs to him right now,” Bailey wrote.

Fan and Community Sentiment

The debate has galvanized Nuggets fans, with many expressing gratitude for Anthony’s Hall of Fame nod and renewed appreciation for his Denver years. A poll conducted by The Denver Post on September 8, 2025, found that 62% of 1,500 respondents supported retiring Anthony’s jersey, though 48% said it should wait until Jokić retires. “Melo deserves it, but Jokić is our guy now,” said fan Sarah Martinez at a Denver watch party for the Hall of Fame ceremony. “Maybe they can share the honor later.”

The Nuggets organization has remained diplomatic. In a statement to The Athletic, team president Josh Kroenke said, “Carmelo is a huge part of our history, and we’re thrilled to see him in the Hall of Fame. We’ll continue to explore ways to celebrate his legacy.” The statement stopped short of committing to a jersey retirement, likely due to the Jokić factor, but it signaled openness to further honoring Anthony.

Anthony’s Perspective

Carmelo Anthony has taken a gracious stance on the issue. In a pre-induction interview with Nichols, he expressed love for Denver without directly addressing the jersey debate. “Denver’s where it all started,” he said. “They gave me the keys at 19, trusted me to lead. That city will always have a piece of my heart.” When asked about No. 15, Anthony smiled and said, “That’s for the Nuggets to decide. I’m just happy to be remembered.”

Anthony’s humility has won over some skeptics, with fans on X praising his maturity. “Melo could demand his jersey be retired, but he’s keeping it classy,” posted @DenverFanatic. “That’s why we love him.” His Hall of Fame speech, which included a heartfelt nod to Denver fans, has softened the narrative around his departure, paving the way for reconciliation.

A Path Forward

Billups’ call to action has put pressure on the Nuggets to act, but the organization faces a delicate balancing act. Retiring No. 15 now could alienate fans who view Jokić as the franchise’s greatest player, while delaying the honor risks further delaying justice for Anthony’s contributions. One potential compromise, suggested by former Nuggets coach George Karl on X, is to create a “Ring of Honor” for Anthony, recognizing his impact without retiring the number. “Melo deserves love, but let’s not rush it with Jokić still balling,” Karl wrote.

The Nuggets could also host a “Carmelo Anthony Night” during the 2025-26 season, inviting him back to Ball Arena for a ceremony celebrating his induction. Such an event could bridge the gap, allowing fans to honor Anthony while deferring the jersey decision. “We’d love to have Melo back,” Kroenke told The Athletic. “He’s family.”

 

Chauncey Billups’ passionate plea to retire Carmelo Anthony’s No. 15 jersey has reignited a conversation about legacy, loyalty, and reconciliation in Denver. Anthony’s transformative impact on the Nuggets—turning a struggling franchise into a playoff contender—cannot be overstated, yet the rise of Nikola Jokić complicates the path to honoring him. As the Nuggets navigate this delicate issue, the support from Billups, fans, and Anthony himself underscores the enduring bond between the player and the city. Whether through a jersey retirement, a Ring of Honor, or another tribute, one thing is clear: Carmelo Anthony’s legacy in Denver is secure, and his place in the hearts of Nuggets fans will endure.