Lakers News: LeBron James Switching Jersey No. for 2019-20 Season

By Jonathan Sherman
Updated: June 27, 2019

Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis wore the iconic No. 23 jersey last season. When Davis was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month, it became clear that one of them was going to have to switch numbers.

According to a report from Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports, it’s going to be James who switches his jersey number, giving Davis the opportunity to wear the No. 23 jersey in Purple and Gold:

“Lakers superstar LeBron James is gifting Anthony Davis his No. 23, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

“The league has been notified of the pending jersey change, sources said.”

This move is significant for a number of reasons.

First off, it may indicate James passing the torch to Davis. The No. 23 jersey in the NBA is of course heavily associated with all-time great Michael Jordan. Perhaps this offer is a sign that James will allow this season’s Lakers team to be just as much centered around Davis as it is around himself.

It is also significant because this change will mark the second time in his illustrious NBA career that James will wear a jersey that is not No. 23. During his seasons with the Miami Heat, James wore the No. 6 jersey.

Thursday was filled with a flurry of news for the Lakers, with another report indicating that general manager Rob Pelinka has facilitated the moves necessary to open enough enough caps space to sign another player to a max contract.

If all predictions are correct, the report means that yet another premier talent will be heading to Los Angeles in the coming days.