The Lakers could be taking down their NBA Cup banner soon. This has been a very polarizing topic among Laker fans, as the standard for excellence in Laker Nation is very high. We celebrate championships. That’s it.
According to Chris Haynes, the Lakers might consider removing the banner. This is coming after the current NBA Cup champions, the New York Knicks, chose not to raise one at Madison Square Garden. While nothing is official, the decision reflects a broader shift in how the NBA Cup is being viewed around the league.
"I think the Lakers might remove that banner now."
Chris Haynes suggests LA may take down their 2023 NBA Cup banner following the Knicks' decision to not raise theirs 🤔
(via @SiriusXMNBA)pic.twitter.com/mW9M94LV5x
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 18, 2025
When one of the NBA’s most tradition-heavy franchises quietly opts out, it sends a clear message: the NBA Cup matters in the moment, not in perpetuity. It’s a trophy — not a historical marker. And yes, there’s an undeniable irony in the fact that the New York Knicks are now, apparently, the ones setting the standard for banner culture.
A Banner Raised for the League
The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t raise the In-Season Tournament banner to signify its importance. They raised it to support the league. In 2023, the NBA was introducing a brand-new product as it headed into a massive media-rights negotiation reportedly valued at around $77 billion. The league needed credibility fast, and no franchise carries more cultural weight than the Lakers. Hanging the banner wasn’t about pride — it was about partnership.
At the time, the move made sense. Someone had to go first. Someone had to treat the NBA Cup seriously enough for fans, broadcasters, and sponsors to follow. The Lakers filled that role, even if it felt awkward next to banners representing championships, dynasties, and decades of dominance.
Why Taking it Down Makes Sense
This is where the Lakers need to recalibrate. The franchise standard isn’t about participation trophies. It’s about championships that define eras. Leaving the banner up while other teams move on risks turning a cooperative gesture into a punchline — not because the Cup was meaningless, but because its purpose has already been served. Taking the banner down wouldn’t erase the accomplishment. It would contextualize it properly.
Staying on Brand
The Lakers did the league a favor when it mattered most. But they shouldn’t be clinging to symbols past their expiration date. Quietly removing the banner wouldn’t be embarrassing — it would be respectful, intentional, and very on brand. The Lakers have always been about winning championships. Everything else is secondary.
