Anthony Davis Announces His Official Jersey Number With The Lakers
Anthony Davis sported No. 23 in high school, at Kentucky and with the New Orleans Pelicans. He is now a Laker, and LeBron James offered Davis his No. 23 jersey. Well, this plan didn’t work, and LeBron can’t give Davis his number for at least a season. Nike said so.
Davis had no problems with that, and he made a quick decision. The Laker took to his Instagram account to post a photo of himself. He will be wearing a No. 3 jersey.
The Los Angeles Lakers confirmed the jersey number on Saturday.
The Lakers have 11 jersey numbers retired. Kobe Bryant’s No. 8 is the only number in single digits “hanging from the rafters,” and Davis had a few numbers to choose from.
The No. 3 wasn’t really used with the Lakers. It was recently worn by Josh Hard who is now part of the New Orleans.
Davis wore the No. 3 in elementary school, and that helped him make a decision.
Chris Haynes was among the first to report about Nike’s role in the jersey numbers.
“LeBron James’ plan to give Anthony Davis his uniform number will be postponed until next season, league sources told Yahoo Sports,” Haynes wrote. “James had wanted to give his new Los Angeles Lakers teammate the No. 23 — which Davis had worn for his entire career in New Orleans — for the 2019-20 season.
“When the Lakers inquired with the league about the jersey change, they were informed the March 15 deadline had passed, sources close to the situation told Yahoo Sports. However, the league would have allowed it if the team were able to work it out with Nike, the manufacturer of the jersey, sources said.
“But due to production issues and the massive financial hit Nike would have absorbed from the No. 23 James inventory that’s already been produced, Nike could not accommodate the request for this season, sources said. Out of consideration for fans who already purchased James’ jersey and to avoid distractions for a team competing for a championship, the Lakers star will bypass seeking the number change for this season.
“Davis can hit free agency next summer because he holds a player option for the 2020-21 season.
“James was expected to switch back to No. 6, which he wore when he was a member of the Miami Heat.
“Davis is scheduled to hold his Lakers introductory news conference Saturday.”
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About The Author
R. M.
Radmila graduated with a degree in Translation & Interpreting. She is an NBA and NFL writer for The Ball Zone, and has been covering popular sports topics for several years. A loyal Lakers fan, she puts energy into reporting big roster moves, potential trades, on-court-accomplishments, and off-court rumors.
