“Thank you for saluting Mark Aguirre”: Magic Johnson offers heartfelt gratitude as Mavericks retire Mark Aguirre's No. 24 jersey

Thursday night marked a defining moment in Mark Aguirre’s career as the Dallas Mavericks retired his No. 24 jersey at the American Airlines Center. It was a moment many believed should have arrived years ago, but when it finally did, it felt deeply emotional as the banner rose to the rafters. Among those who stood proudly in support was NBA legend Magic Johnson, who shared heartfelt words to honor his longtime friend.


Mark Aguirre, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1981 NBA Draft, helped shape the early Mavericks in its early phase. His jersey retirement made him the fifth player in franchise history to receive that honor, after Brad Davis, Rolando Blackman, Derek Harper, and Dirk Nowitzki. While the night belonged to Aguirre, the reactions from former teammates, coaches, and especially Magic Johnson added powerful weight to the occasion.

Magic Johnson honors a friend as Mark Aguirre finally gets his long-awaited Dallas night

One of the most touching moments of the ceremony came through a video message from Magic Johnson. Speaking not just as a Hall of Famer but as a friend, Magic thanked the Mavericks organization for finally honoring Aguirre.


“Thank you to the Dallas organization, the new ownership group as well for saluting Mark Aguirre”, Johnson said.




The words came from someone who understood not just greatness but also sacrifice. Their bond goes back decades, having been built on mutual respect and on-court battles in the NBA. By publicly celebrating Aguirre, Johnson's message helped understand Aguirre’s story not just as a misunderstood star, but as a player who helped lay the foundation for what the Mavericks are today.

Mark Aguirre’s jersey retirement caps a historic Mavericks run

Mark Aguirre’s rise was never easy. Growing up in Western Chicago alongside Isiah Thomas, survival came before dreams. Basketball became a way to carry hope through hard days. Immediately after entering the NBA, Aguirre quickly became one of the league’s most reliable scorers.


In Dallas, Aguirre was more than just a top draft pick. He was the face of a franchise that was gradually emerging. Teammates later recalled how hard he was to guard and how central he was to the Mavericks’ growth in the 1980s. His exit from Dallas in 1989 was complicated. However, former teammates like Derek Harper and Rolando Blackman openly said the rafters never felt complete without Aguirre. Thursday night proved they were right. The night was filled with emotion. Isiah Thomas stood beside Aguirre, moved by how far they had come.


Thus, in that very moment as the crowd cheered and the banner lifted, Aguirre looked at peace. And with Magic Johnson’s words, the message was clear that Mark Aguirre’s place in the NBA is not just secured but will be forever remembered.


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