LeBron James is changing his jersey number- again.
The current Lakers superstar and NBA great is changing from no. 6 to his familiar number 23, his friend and agent Rich Paul related to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
LeBron wore 23 for his first seven seasons with the Cavaliers from 2003-10. When he ripped the hearty out of Cavs fans with his highly publicized departure to Miami, he switched to number 6 for those four seasons (2010-14). James would once again don 23 for his second stint in Cleveland from 2014-18.
LeBron headed west to Los Angeles for the purple and gold of the Lakers he brought his number 23 along but opted to switch once again to number 6 in June of 2021.
James said his decision was out of respect for Bill Russell, whose no.6 was retired Association-wide last season. The NBA and Celtics legend who spent his entire 13-year career in Boston winning 11 Championships, passed last summer at the age of 88.
James was allowed to continue to wear the number last year, as players who were already wearing the number were grandfathered in to be allowed to continue to do so.
