Lakers Rumors: LeBron James Changing His Jersey Number, Anthony Davis Keeping No. 3

LeBron James isn’t leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, but he will be wearing a new jersey next season. The NBA’s most recognizable superstar is changing his uniform from No. 23 to No. 6, The Athletic reports.

James is expected to officially change his jersey to No. 6 after his film “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” is released on July 16, according to The Athletic. James wore a No. 6 jersey when he played for the Miami Heat from 2010 to 2014. The 36-year-old went back to No. 23 when he returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

James, who has not confirmed that he is changing his number, has worn the No. 23 in 14 of his 18 NBA seasons.

After the Lakers traded for Anthony Davis in the summer of 2019, James was ready to let his new co-star wear No. 23. That plan was put on hold and Davis will reportedly stick with his No. 3 jersey.

Davis wore No. 23 at the University of Kentucky and as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans.

The NBA announced in March that James’ No. 23 Lakers’ jersey was the most popular among fans for the first half of the 2020-21 season. Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic's jersey came in second. Davis had the league’s seventh-most popular jersey.

It’s not unusual for the NBA’s most prolific player to switch jersey numbers while staying with the same team.

Kobe Bryant changed his jersey number from No. 8 to No. 24, starting in the 2006-07 season.

When Michael Jordan returned from his first retirement, he finished the 1995 season with a No. 45 jersey. Jordan went back to his iconic No. 23 during the Eastern Conference Finals and kept it for the rest of his tenure with the Chicago Bulls. He also wore No. 23 with the Washington Wizards.