After an early exit in the NBA playoffs, some changes are due for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. These of course will include some roster shifts that are likely to come. LeBron James is getting out in front of the change by making a switch of his own.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Lakers star is going from No. 23 to No. 6.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is changing his jersey number from No. 23 to No. 6 next season, sources tell me and @tim_cato. Anthony Davis is expected to remain No. 3.https://t.co/GyQy5s9bVu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 9, 2021
James has spent the majority of his career wearing the No. 23 including when his career began with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Lakers star did however wear the No. 6 when he joined forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami with the Heat. That pit stop provided James with his first two NBA titles.
When he returned to Cleveland after being in Miami, James went back to the No. 23 and carried that over with him when he joined the Lakers. Now, he's going back to No.6.
The jerseys will undoubtedly fly off the shelves once they are printed and released as this change involves the NBA's biggest name on one of the biggest teams (if not the biggest) making a number change. It sounds silly, but it's the reality of the market and how fans respond.
The Lakers will themselves will likely make far bigger moves this offseason after the Phoenix Suns eliminated them in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. It marked the first time in James' career that he lost in round one. He had been an incredible 14-0 before the Suns broke the streak.
Regardless of the moves the Lakers make this offseason, this jersey number swap by James may be the most popular.
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