Which Teams Did Michael Jordan Play For?

By Sarah Miller · March 22, 2031

Michael Jordan played professional basketball for the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards in the NBA. He spent the majority of his legendary career with the Chicago Bulls, leading them to six NBA championships, and later returned to the league with the Washington Wizards from 2001 to 2003.

Michael Jordan's NBA Teams: A Career Overview

Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history. His professional career spanned 15 seasons across two NBA franchises. The vast majority of his success came during his tenure with the Chicago Bulls, where he became a global icon.

Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998)

Joined the Bulls as the 3rd overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft
Won six NBA championships (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
Named NBA Finals MVP in all six championship runs
Retired temporarily in 1993, returned in 1995 after playing minor league baseball
Wore jersey number 23 (and briefly 45 upon return in 1995)

Washington Wizards (2001–2003)

Came out of retirement for a second time to join the Wizards
Served as both player and executive at different points
Played two full seasons before retiring permanently in 2003
Wore jersey number 23
Aimed to revitalize the franchise and mentor young talent

Key Achievements by Team

Team	Seasons	NBA Championships	Regular Season Record	Finals MVP Awards	MVP Awards	Scoring Titles
Chicago Bulls	13	6	555–191 (.746)	6	5	10
Washington Wizards	2	0	70–92 (.432)	0	0	0

Table data source:1, 2

The data highlights the stark contrast between Jordan's dominant years with the Chicago Bulls and his later stint with the Washington Wizards. While he maintained elite individual performance in Washington, team success was limited. His win percentage with the Bulls (.746) ranks among the highest in NBA history for any player with significant tenure.

Why Michael Jordan Is Associated Primarily with the Chicago Bulls

Although Jordan played for two teams, his legacy is overwhelmingly tied to the Chicago Bulls for several reasons:

The Bulls won all six of their NBA titles with Jordan as the centerpiece
He earned five regular-season MVP awards during his Bulls tenure
Global fame and the "Air Jordan" brand emerged during his Chicago years
Cultural impact through the 1990s, including the documentary The Last Dance
His jersey numbers (23 and 45) were retired by the Bulls

Frequently Asked Questions About Michael Jordan's NBA Career

Did Michael Jordan play for any team other than the Chicago Bulls?

Yes, Michael Jordan also played for the Washington Wizards from 2001 to 2003 after coming out of retirement for the second time. However, he is best known for his time with the Chicago Bulls.

How many seasons did Michael Jordan play with the Chicago Bulls?

Michael Jordan played 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls, split into two stints: 1984–1993 and 1995–1998. He missed two full seasons (1993–1995) due to his first retirement.

Why did Michael Jordan leave the Chicago Bulls?

After winning three consecutive titles, Jordan retired in 1993, citing physical and mental exhaustion, and a desire to pursue baseball following the death of his father. He returned in 1995 and left again after the 1997–1998 season, when the Bulls disbanded the championship team.

What jersey number did Michael Jordan wear with the Washington Wizards?

Michael Jordan wore number 23 with the Washington Wizards, the same iconic number he wore with the Chicago Bulls.

Did Michael Jordan win any championships with the Washington Wizards?

No, Michael Jordan did not win any championships with the Washington Wizards. The team did not advance past the first round of the playoffs during his two seasons there.