We decided to rank every single current NBA logo. This list encompasses all 30 active teams. While some subjective opinions are used throughout this ranking, some objective measures are taken to make this list as objective as possible.
The Logo’s Framework
From most subjective to least subjective, this is every factor that will contribute to a logo’s position on this list. All logos and the last two factors are sourced from Sports Logos.net.
Logos’ Personal Rating (LPR)
A simple rating from 1-10 based on our general opinion of the logo.
Logos’ Bonus Points (LBP)
A system where a logo can win points based on unique factors like symmetry or detail. Multiple points can be gained, one point is granted for each factor, and zero points is possible. Some factors are subjective and up to the interpretation of the individual.
Logos’ Rating (LR)
A public rating system is provided for each logo, where anyone can give a rating of 1-10, only allowing whole number votes. While still very subjective, the average it provides can still be used objectively.
Logos’ Longevity (LL)
A simple formula that takes the current year and subtracts the year the logo was marked as the primary logo. The bigger the number, the better.
(This system, and every note below, is identical to our college logo ranking, which can be found here.)
Important Notes
- This ranking is exclusively based on the team’s primary logo in Sports Logos.net’s database. (Notes will be added to the logos where this isn’t the case.)
- A logo rating was averaged if it was taken from multiple different instances of a logo. Ex: The Los Angeles Lakers have five separate logos from five separate time frames, all with various minor changes and logo ratings.
- If a logo was hardly changed over time, it was given a start year of the very first instance of the logo. As mentioned above, the rating was changed to the average rating from every instance of the logo. A minor color change, border addition, shift of an asset, or any similarly insignificant change isn’t considered enough to break the longevity of the logo.
- The list was ordered based on all factors with Logos’ Rating, Logos’ Bonus Points, Logos’ Longevity, and Logos’ Personal Rating in descending order of influence.
- The average and range of every factor are:
Logos’ Rating: 5.74 | 4.6-7.2
Logos’ Longevity: 13.87 | 1-59
Logos’ Personal Rating: 6.2 | 2.5-9.25
Logos’ Bonus Points: 0.47 | 0-2
30th. Utah Jazz
LR 4.6 | LL 3 | LPR 3.75 | LBP 0
The worst-rated of the logos on our list. Extremely plain and basic makes perfect sense. (Not the actual logo, this is their ‘primary dark logo’.)
29th. Houston Rockets
LR 4.7 | LL 6 | LPR 8.05 | LBP 0
We like this logo quite a lot. The internet, however, doesn’t.
28th. Oklahoma City Thunder
LR 5 | LL 17 | LPR 4.4 | LBP 0
27th. San Antonio Spurs
LR 5.1 | LL 8 | LPR 7.3 | LBP 1
Basic but clean logo, hence the bonus point. We like this, the internet not so much.
26th. Cleveland Cavaliers
LR 5.3 | LL 3 | LPR 5.5 | LBP 0
25th. Portland Trail Blazers
LR 5.4 | LL 8 | LPR 3.95 | LBP 0
Another one of our least favorite logos. Boring, almost no design whatsoever.
24th. Indiana Pacers
LR 5.4 | LL 8 | LPR 4.5 | LBP 0
23rd. Orlando Magic
LR 5.4 | LL 15 | LPR 7.7 | LBP 0
22nd. New Orleans Pelicans
LR 5.4 | LL 2 | LPR 7 | LBP 1
Earned one bonus point for pelican symmetry.
21st. Brooklyn Nets
LR 5.5 | LL 2 | LPR 3 | LBP 0
Almost our least favorite logo on this list. Still earns a solid ranking with a decent LR.
20th. Dallas Mavericks
LR 5.5 | LL 24 | LPR 7.15 | LBP 1
Receives a single bonus point for logo detail. Great, interesting logo overall. However, we can see the ‘age’ of the logo in the finer details.
19th. Memphis Grizzlies
LR 5.6 | LL 7 | LPR 5.5 | LBP 0
18th. Phoenix Suns
LR 5.6 | LL 12 | LPR 6.3 | LBP 0
17th. New York Knicks
LR 5.6 | LL 30 | LPR 6.7 | LBP 1
Achieves one bonus point for being ‘clean’. Nice, sharp outlines lend a hand to this. Can see some ‘age’ in the logo detail, but still lands, nearly, smack dab in the middle of our list.
16th. Los Angeles Lakers
LR 5.62 | LL 54 | LPR 6.3 | LBP 0
Not considering the minor changes made to the logo, this logo earns second place in longevity.
15th. Philadelphia 76ers
LR 5.8 | LL 10 | LPR 4.75 | LBP 0
14th. Atlanta Hawks
LR 5.8 | LL 10 | LPR 6.2 | LBP 0
13th. Golden State Warriors
LR 5.8 | LL 15 | LPR 6.85 | LBP 0
12th. Detroit Pistons
LR 5.8 | LL 8 | LPR 2.5 | LBP 1
Quite literally our least favorite logo. Surprisingly liked by the internet. Earns one bonus point for symmetry.
11th. Tronto Raptors
LR 5.8 | LL 5 | LPR 8.4 | LBP 1
Receives one bonus point for being a ‘clean’ logo. Sharp but simple logo.
10th. Miami Heat
LR 5.9 | LL 26 | LPR 6.6 | LBP 1
Receives one bonus point for a ‘clean’ design. (Considered the ‘dark’ logo, the core of the logo remains the same.)
9th. Denver Nuggets
LR 5.9 | LL 7 | LPR 7.1 | LBP 1
Receives one bonus point for a near symmetrical design. Really solid logo simple but with enough flair to be unique.
8th. Washington Wizards
LR 6.1 | LL 10 | LPR 5.5 | LBP 1
Receives one bonus point for a near symmetrical design. Our first logo to break the LR barrier of 6.
7th. Charlotte Hornets
LR 6.1 | LL 11 | LPR 8.5 | LBP 2
One of our favorite logos. A nice, sharp, and ‘clean’ look earns this logo one bonus point. A detailed design gives this logo another bonus point.
6th. Los Angeles Clippers
LR 6.2 | LL 1 | LPR 5.25 | LBP 0
5th. Sacramento Kings
LR 6.5 | LL 9 | LPR 6.4 | LBP 0
4th. Boston Celtics
LR 6.5 | LL 29 | LPR 7.75 | LBP 1
The extreme detail and overall character of this logo give it one bonus point.
3rd. Milwaukee Bucks
LR 6.5 | LL 10 | LPR 9.25 | LBP 2
Our favorite of the logos. Extreme design detail and a near symmetrical design give this logo two bonus points.
2nd. Minnesota Timberwolves
LR 6.7 | LL 8 | LPR 7.8 | LBP 0
No bonus points here. Just a great logo and that is beloved by fans.
1st. Chicago Bulls
(Switch to light mode in top right if in dark mode)
LR 7.2 | LL 59 | LPR 5.85 | LBP 1
Our first-place logo, the Chicago Bulls. A logo with some impressive longevity and a loving fanbase. Not our favorite of the logos, but it’s truly no surprise this logo did so well. Gained one bonus point for symmetry.
– The FastBreakStats Blog
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