Lakers News: LeBron James Reportedly Switching Jersey Numbers Again Before 2023 Season

He's throwing it back!

Like many other legends that have stamped their names into the history books of the NBA, LeBron James has chosen to wear two different jersey numbers throughout his career. 23 marked his initial tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers as he first embarked on a journey to bring the city their first franchise championship (and came close to 2007) but when that didn't happen, he formed a super team in South Beach and announced he would be switching his jersey number to 6 in order to put away 23 in honor of Michael Jordan.

But two championships and four Finals appearances later and The King made his way back to the Cavaliers and he finally brought that ring to the city he had promised long ago all while wearing 23 once again. It almost felt like James had to be in the right environment to lean towards which number he would be rocking and it's safe to say that he has been a little indecisive during these recent years with the Lakers.

He kicked off his tenure sticking to the infamous number 23 but wanted to immediately switch back to 6 one season and gift 23 to Anthony Davis after he acquired in a blockbuster trade. However, the NBA made him wait one more season due to an influx of number 23 jerseys already made but it looks like we'll be seeing James back to his roots when the 2023-2024 season kicks off.

LeBron James will change his uniform from No. 6 to No. 23 next season. “It’s LeBron’s decision,” Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group told ESPN. “He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell.” The NBA retired No. 6 league-wide last August; James wore it a final season to honor Russell

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 16, 2023

"LeBron James will change his uniform from No. 6 to No. 23 next season. “It’s LeBron’s decision,” Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group told ESPN. “He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell.” The NBA retired No. 6 league-wide last August; James wore it a final season to honor Russell"

(Via Dave McMenamin)

Thanks to Dave McMenamin, we now know that James was not going to take advantage of the NBA giving him the blessing to continue wearing 6 even with their notion to honor Bill Russell by retiring it across the league. He'll be back in the same number 23 that he wore while he won the Lakers their most recent championship in 2020!

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