Lakers say they won’t reveal 2020 Championship banner until fans are back

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t get to have a championship parade because of the coronavirus pandemic, and ongoing safety concerns will keep them from having fans in the building as they receive their championship rings, too. However, that doesn’t mean that fans will be completely shut out of the proceedings as things get safer.

Lakers governor Jeanie Buss has expressed a desire to have a parade with the Dodgers down the line when things are safer, and the Lakers are also saving one more part of the traditional ring night for the fans as well. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the team will wait to reveal their banner for this title until fans can join them in the building for games.

It’s unknown if that means the Lakers are going to be waiting until they can have full capacity crowds again, or if they’re just waiting for it to safe for any amount of fans, or where the line is, but regardless, this seems like the right move. The players should be able to get their rings and mostly close the book on last season while being able to celebrate their accomplishment with the jewelry they’ve earned.

But while all of these players will eventually leave the Lakers — whether through free agency, trades or retirement — and their rings won’t remain in the building regardless, the banner will always be there for the fans to remember an unforgettable season and achievement, and so waiting for them to be allowed back in to unveil it is a nice little touch to strike the balance here between the best thing for safety right now, while allowing fans a moment they’ll never forget being in the building for down the line.

The Lakers will get their rings at 6:30 p.m. tonight on TNT. Stay tuned to Silver Screen and Roll for updates on when the banner will get unveiled.

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