What Number Will Anthony Davis Wear Now Lakers New Update

The Los Angeles Lakers' jersey number drama volition not take a sequel. At least not this year.

Many NBA fans will remember that when the Lakers caused Anthony Davis last offseason, the move came with an enthusiastic promise from LeBron James to cede his No. 23 to his new teammate. James had worn the No. 23 for his unabridged non-Miami Rut career, while Davis had the aforementioned number on the New Orleans Pelicans.

The two even held some kind of poorly lit parking lot ceremony to commemorate the transfer on Instagram.

The agreement signaled James' enthusiasm to centre the squad around Davis, merely there was just one problem. Nike had already made a few likewise many James No. 23 jerseys, and the Lakers had missed the deadline for jersey number swaps by months.

Due to the financial hit the apparel maker would have with then many out-of-date James jerseys, Davis eventually had to settle on No. iii, with the plan reportedly existence to take No. 23 in a year. That plan — which feels like ancient history these days — is reportedly now off.

Co-ordinate to Silvery Screen & Roll, a team spokesperson confirmed that Davis has warmed to his No. 3 and will not be swapping numbers this offseason. It'southward not hard to figure out why that might be; winning a championship will give you some pretty cracking memories with a new number.

However, James doesn't announced ready to let the idea completely die, equally he posted this to his Instagram story the day after it was reported the swap was off.

"#23 gonna wait a niggling different this year and we got this guy #6 ... he'south aight lol," James said. "Adjacent season only that's tough!"

That would seem to indicate James still plans to give his number to Davis after the 2020-21 season, since it appears he is once again also late this year. Nike wouldn't allow James and Davis change numbers in July for a season that started three months downward the line; they're not going to let the pair practice the aforementioned for a flavour three weeks abroad while a pandemic wreaks havoc with their manufacturing and shipping.

The Lakers' ain website revealed a new batch of jerseys but this week with the pair's current numbers, so if you bought a James No. 23 jersey or a Davis No. 3 jersey or were just eyeing ane, rest easy for at least this flavor.