Anthony Davis will not be able to wear No. 23 on his Los Angeles Lakers jersey next season, according to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes.
Haynes reports that Nike has denied LeBron James’ request to switch numbers in order to let his new teammate wear 23 due to financial reasons.
The NBA reportedly informed the Lakers that the deadline for a number switch (March 15) had passed when they put in the request. However, the league was willing to allow it if the team could reach an agreement with Nike.
The brand states, according to Haynes, that the hit caused by the short-notice change would be too severe to absorb, due to the large inventory that has already been produced with James’ name above 23.
James announced in late June that he would “gift” 23 to Davis, who has worn the number for his entire seven-year career with the New Orleans Pelicans, and would return to No. 6, his Miami Heat jersey number.
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