Shortly after the Pelicans agreed to trade Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James announced his plans to give up his No. 23 jersey to Davis. James seemingly confirmed he would switch back to No. 6 on social media. However, ESPN reports that the switch will have to wait a whole season due to production and financial issues with Nike.
James famously sported No. 23 when he was at the Cleveland Cavaliers and during last season with the Lakers, but it's also the number that Davis wore all seven of his seasons with the Pelicans. The NBA notified the Lakers that the March 15 deadline for jersey changes had already passed, and would only waive it if Nike compiled.
Nike did not accept the change, according to sources. Nike has already produced No. 23 LeBron James jerseys; the sudden change could lead to a significant financial hit "well into the tens of millions of dollars" for the company. As such, James has agreed to postpone the decision in consideration fans who have already purchase his No. 23 jersey.
Davis confirmed on instagram that he would be sporting No. 3 with the Lakers until the change comes into play next season.
