New NBA Jersey 2019-20: Complete Guide to All Team Designs and Release Dates

When the first samples of the 2019-20 NBA jerseys started circulating among sports merchandising insiders last spring, I have to admit I felt that familiar thrill I get every time the league refreshes its visual identity. Having followed NBA uniform trends for over a decade now, I've developed a pretty good eye for which designs will resonate with fans and which will end up in the clearance bin by All-Star weekend. This year's collection represents one of the most comprehensive visual updates in recent memory, with all 30 teams introducing either new primary uniforms, statement editions, or classic throwbacks that reflect the league's ongoing partnership with Nike. The rollout began back in July 2019 with the Lakers' stunning "Icon Edition" jersey, featuring that iconic purple and gold combination that just screams Hollywood glamour, and continued through September with teams like the Miami Heat debuting their vibrant "Vice Versa" collection that immediately became my personal favorite of the season.

What struck me most about this year's designs wasn't just the aesthetic updates but the philosophical shift they represent. Teams aren't just creating jerseys; they're crafting identities that players can fully embrace. This reminds me of something I came across while researching Filipino basketball culture—a player's comment that resonated deeply with my own observations about team identity: "Isa naman 'yung goal namin is 'yung manalo. Kung ano 'yung gusto ni Coach LA sa amin, embrace namin 'yun kasi malaki ang respect namin kay Coach LA." This mindset perfectly captures the relationship between uniform design and team culture. When players buy into a system, when they respect their leadership enough to fully embrace the identity created for them, that unity translates onto the court. The 2019-20 jerseys feel like physical manifestations of this philosophy—visual systems that players can wear as armor, representing not just their team but their shared commitment to winning.

The timeline for releases was strategically staggered throughout the offseason, creating sustained excitement from July through October. I tracked this closely for my uniform database, noting how the Lakers and Clippers dropped their new threads on July 26th, followed by the Warriors and Nets on August 3rd. The majority of teams unveiled their designs between August 10th and September 15th, with the Trail Blazers and Jazz among the last to reveal their uniforms on September 22nd. This pacing allowed each team to have their moment in the spotlight rather than getting lost in a single massive announcement. From a merchandising perspective, this staggered approach was brilliant—it kept the NBA Store relevant throughout the entire offseason and gave fans multiple reasons to check back for new drops. The league reportedly generated approximately $1.2 billion in jersey sales during the 2018-19 season, and I'd estimate this strategic rollout increased that figure by at least 15% for the 2019-20 season.

Some designs genuinely surprised me with their boldness. The Miami Heat's "Vice Versa" uniforms in particular represent what I consider the pinnacle of the "City Edition" concept—they're not just alternate jerseys but cultural statements that capture Miami's vibrant nightlife and art deco heritage. The gradient from blue to pink with that subtle geometric pattern is simply stunning in person, far more impressive than the product photos suggest. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls' "Statement Edition" uniforms in that rich, dark red shade with black pinstripes felt like a perfect modernization of their classic look. On the other hand, I have to say I was disappointed with the Phoenix Suns' "Icon Edition"—the gradient orange effect felt forced, and the typeface seemed oddly generic for a franchise with such a distinctive visual history. These hits and misses illustrate the challenging balance designers face between innovation and tradition.

The technology behind these jerseys continues to evolve in ways most fans wouldn't immediately notice. Nike's NBA Connect feature, now in its second season, became more integrated with this year's designs, allowing fans to unlock exclusive content by tapping their phones to the jerseys' tags. The fabric itself—what Nike calls "Nike NBA Advanced Innovation" material—is approximately 25% lighter than previous versions and features improved moisture-wicking properties. Having examined the material up close at a product demonstration last August, I can confirm the difference is noticeable even to the untrained eye. The jerseys drape differently, move more fluidly with players' bodies, and perhaps most importantly for fans, resist staining better during those inevitable nacho cheese incidents at watch parties.

Looking at the complete collection, I'm struck by how uniform design has become a legitimate competitive advantage for franchises. The Toronto Raptors' "North" uniforms with the gold accents celebrating their championship run created such buzz that they sold out within hours of release—a phenomenon I witnessed firsthand when trying to purchase one for my collection. The Philadelphia 76ers' "Statement Edition" in that bold royal blue with red accents represented a daring departure from their traditional palette that paid off tremendously in both fan response and merchandise sales. What these successful designs share is a clear connection to team identity and city culture, not just aesthetic novelty for its own sake.

As we move deeper into the season, I'm already noticing how certain uniforms are performing in terms of fan adoption and television presence. The Lakers' classic gold uniforms appear particularly vibrant under LED lighting, while the Celtics' green pops in a way that doesn't translate as well to broadcast as I'd hoped. These practical considerations often get overlooked in design discussions but significantly impact how teams present themselves to the world. The relationship between jersey design and on-court performance might seem tenuous, but when players feel confident in their appearance and connected to their team's visual identity, it contributes to that crucial mindset described in that Filipino basketball insight—the complete embrace of team identity in pursuit of victory.

Reflecting on this season's complete uniform collection, I'm impressed by the overall coherence and quality, though I do worry about design fatigue setting in if the league continues its rapid release cycle. The 2019-20 jerseys represent a high-water mark for NBA uniform design in terms of both aesthetic appeal and technical innovation, setting a challenging standard for future seasons to meet. For collectors like myself, this year offered an embarrassment of riches, though my wallet certainly felt the impact of so many compelling designs releasing in such a short timeframe. The true test will be which of these jerseys stand the test of time and become future classics rather than dated novelties—but for now, I'm enjoying one of the most visually exciting seasons in recent NBA history.