Lakers Retiring Pau Gasol’s No. 16

The Los Angeles Lakers are adding Pau Gasol’s #16 jersey to the rafters.  

ESPN reports, the Lakers will retire the No. 16 on March 7, 2023 in a game vs. the Memphis Grizzlies.

Did you know, the Grizzles traded Gasol to the Lakers in 2008? The trade paid off for the Lakers- they made three straight NBA Finals appearances, winning it all in 2009 and 2010.

In 2018 when Kobe won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film, he was asked about the Lakers one day retiring the No. 16.

"There’s no debate. Pau, when he retires, he will have his [Lakers] number in the rafters next to mine."

– Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/0AIhRkKoZi

— Kobe Highlights & Motivation (@kobehighlight) August 17, 2022

Unfortunately, Kobe isn’t here to witness the speech in March.

Gasol retired from the NBA in 2021 after 19 seasons with career averages of 17.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.

Querido baloncesto, gracias por todo.

Dear basketball, thank you for everything.

Estimat bàsquet, gràcies per tot.

❤️🏀 pic.twitter.com/I6TemPrA5T

— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) October 5, 2021

CONGRATULATIONS !!!

(Source: ESPN / Photo: Los Angeles Lakers)