LeBron James will reportedly be wearing a new jersey number next season.
According to Shams Charania and Tim Cato of The Athletic, LeBron is changing his jersey number from No. 23 to No. 6 for the 2021-22 season.
Charania and Cato that the change is expected to come after "Space Jam: A New Legacy," which is scheduled for release on July 16, 2021 in the United States.
While No. 23 is now available on the Lakers, Anthony Davis is reportedly expected to keep his No. 3 jersey. When Davis was first traded to the Lakers, there was talk of LeBron giving Davis No. 23, which he wore with the New Orleans Pelicans.
First look: LeBron James will change his Lakers jersey number to No. 6 next season after donning the number in his new movie “Space Jam: A New Legacy.” pic.twitter.com/VZksn1qVCy
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 9, 2021
LeBron wore the No. 23 jersey in his 11 seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as well as his first three seasons with the Lakers. He wore the No. 6 jersey in his four seasons with the Miami Heat.
LeBron has given a few reasons for why he changed to No. 6 with the Heat, but part of it appeared to be out of respect for Michael Jordan.
"I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon," James once said. "There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn't Michael Jordan first.
"He can't get the logo, and if he can't, something has to be done. I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. I'm starting a petition, and I've got to get everyone in the NBA to sign it.
"Now, if I'm not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it."
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