Ranking City Edition uniforms: Where does the 2024-25 version place?

NBA jerseys are all the rage in fashion, and Nike has taken advantage of such fandom. Since Nike became the official uniform and apparel maker for the NBA in 2017, they've ushered in the "City Edition" jerseys. These unique alternate jerseys pay homage to a team's history, culture, or even its architecture.

Late last week, the NBA and Nike officially revealed all 30 team's City Edition uniforms after previewing the jerseys earlier this month. The Chicago Bulls' newest jersey differed from recent seasons. For instance, this season's City Edition will not feature the Bulls' beloved red. The Bulls instead opted to honor the United Center by embarking on a new design highlighted by an all-white and gold look.

A white and gold is undoubtedly different, and fans have taken notice. Some pointed to the Dallas Mavericks' City Edition jerseys of 2020-21 as an uncanny resemblance, while others praised the new design for its fresh take on the Bulls. However, for the most part, the reception was mixed. Despite the wide range of reactions, it goes without saying the Bulls have repped some appealing uniforms throughout Nike's tenure. Below, we offer a comprehensive ranking of all eight jerseys.

Ranking the City Edition jerseys

8. 2023-24

The 2023-24 City Edition is…something. Sure, the red and black look nice, as always, but numerous stylistic problems exist. First, the Motorola logo looks out of place. Even in its second season as the Bulls' official jersey sponsor, it doesn't fit in this design. There's just so much wasted space below the logo.

Second, has vertical lettering ever looked good? The "Chicago" fits nicely underneath the Nike logo. However, it once again leaves too much space in the upper right portion of the jersey. And finally, the number looks misplaced. The length of Chicago dwarfs the smaller number on the right side of the uniform.

7. 2024-25

Chicago's newest City Edition comes in at seventh. This season's alternate is clean and fresh, yet the design is bland. Furthermore, the white and gold colorway is questionable. Even non-basketball fans can recognize the Bulls' famed red and black. The white, gold, and grey tones discredit Chicago's rich history. It'd be like the Boston Celtics losing their famed green.

Of course, Nike and the Bulls paid homage to the United Center, emulating the arena's fonts and color scheme to develop the design. The inspiration comes from a valid source. However, it could have easily been done while still using some Bulls' red.

6. 2019-20

One of the more unique jerseys on the list, the 2019-20 City Edition was ranked initially closer to the top. The light blue and red pair well together, as discovered years prior. The numbering, although placed in an odd spot, fits below the Bulls' logo.

However, the overarching light blue theme is distant from any Bulls' jersey in recent memory. Looking back at the old highlights of the 2019-20 Bulls' donning this jersey, it'll take a second to realize if it's Chicago or the Los Angeles Clippers' alternate uniforms of the 2010s.

5. 2018-19

A cult favorite amongst the Bulls' fanbase, the 2018-19 iteration is loud and expressive. This jersey doesn't feature any lettering, only the iconic four stars of the Chicago flag. The idea and execution are terrific and sure to be enamored by Chicagoans for years.

The main downside to this jersey is the cohesion of the colors. The black backdrop is only okay; it would have been interesting to see what the stars, stripes, and numbers looked like on an all-white jersey instead. Nevertheless, this is an impressive uniform.

4. 2020-21

The following four uniforms are almost interchangeable, starting with the art-deco-inspired 2020-21 uniforms. These jerseys are well-respected amongst the Bulls' fanbase, and deservedly so. The double-layered broadway font is easy on the eyes, and the color scheme is creative. Plus, the design pattern is as unique as any jersey we've seen.

The only critique of this jersey is the heavy use of dark-grey tonnage. It's not representative of Chicago, even though it does pair well with the gold trim. Perhaps if it wasn't such a dark grey, the jersey would ranks second or third.

3. 2022-23

First things first, the subtle underlying pattern inspired by Municipal Y is stunning. Although it's difficult to see in the picture above, it looks incredibly aesthetic. The "Y" is symbolic throughout, and it is also featured on the side paneling of the shorts.

While other uniforms completely lacked the famed Chicago red, the 2022-23 jersey implemented an alternative "rust red" derived from Chicago's bridges. These uniforms do a great job of staying true to the franchise while paying homage to the city's architecture.

2. 2017-18

Originally first on the list, this jersey started it all for Chicago's city edition. The 2017-18 jersey is simple and effective. The cursive script is an ode to the classic Bulls' jerseys, and the stars on the side of the jersey successfully portray Chicago's beloved flag.

Finally, the all-white touch works in this instance. The red outlined by light blue is easily visible with a white backdrop. What keeps this uniform from the top of the rankings has nothing to do with this iteration and all to do with the Bulls' cleanest, most appealing jersey of the Nike era.

1. 2021-22

Picture Michael Jordan, wearing his ever-beloved Jordan 1s, driving to the rim, skying in the air to finish a patented one-handed jam. You definitely pictured Jordan doing this in a red jersey, but also perhaps wearing the classic 1984-85 jersey in his rookie season.

The 2021-22 Bulls' City Edition is a direct ode to Chicago's jerseys of the early 1980s. Although it can be said this uniform is basic, it's extremely effective. The script works so well, and the decision to use white on red was quintessential. Moreover, reverting back to the triangular pattern encasing the Bull logo on the sides of the shorts was a home run.