'Teammate that never wore a jersey': How Phoenix Suns could honor Al McCoy

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The NBA has lost some of the greatest figures in the league in recent months from Bill Walton in May, Jerry West in June and Al McCoy last week .

The Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers are honoring Walton and West with a commemorative band on their respective jerseys this 2024-25 season. The band is on the left shoulder above the team's jersey patch.

The Lakers have West's No. 44 on a band and the Blazers are sporting Walton's No. 32 over a tie-dye band. Walton was an avid fan of the Grateful Dead rock band, and wore tie-dye tees.

When teams want to honor someone of importance to their organization, they contact the league's on-court and brand partnership team and collaborate on a design.

McCoy wasn't a player for the Suns, but as former Suns two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash said, "he was the teammate that never wore a jersey."

Sources say the Suns are discussing various options with the NBA on how to honor McCoy this season.

So how could Phoenix honor the 'Voice of the Suns' on its jerseys for the 2024-25 season?

A standalone mic or a mic with McCoy's name beside it would be cool. Maybe a mic with the number 51, to represent McCoy doing radio broadcasts 51 seasons for the Suns.

The Golden State Warriors are honoring Alvin Attles with No. 16 on a band as that was his jersey number with the franchise. He died in August at the age of 87.

The NBA has gone with more than just numbers on the band. It has used the last name and initials. The Orlando Magic are honoring co-founder Pat Williams with his PW initials on a black band.

Williams died in July at the age of 84. West was 86 years old while Walton passed at the age of 71.

Phoenix honored McCoy in the final game of the 2022-23 regular season with a white jersey with his last name and No. 51 in orange with a purple outline.

McCoy peacefully passed away last Saturday at the age of 91.

"Our hearts our broken that the great Al McCoy has passed," former Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said in a statement last week. "I had the privilege to spend many hours talking with him about life and basketball.  His love and enthusiasm for the Phoenix Suns was unparalleled.  Rest in peace, dear friend."

The Blazers are having a "Bill Walton Tribute Night" on March 9 when Portland hosts the Detroit Pistons at Moda Center. Fans are encouraged to wear tie-dye and will receive a special tie-dye headband.

There will also be tribute videos honoring Walton, who won the NBA championship with Portland in 1977.

The Warriors plan to have a moment of silence and video tribute to honor Attles before their home opener on Oct. 27, against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Fans in attendance will receive Al Attles lapel pins as he is one of only six Warriors to have their jersey retired. He coached Golden State to its first NBA championship in the 1974-75 season.

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrakin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin .

Support local journalism. Start your online subscription .

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Teammate that never wore a jersey': How Phoenix Suns could honor Al McCoy