LeBron James might not be allowed to wear his favorite jersey number in the NBA next season.
LeBron James might not be able to wear two of his favorite jersey numbers if he joins a new NBA team next season, as rumors about where he’ll play next keep swirling. After deciding not to extend his contract with the LA Lakers, James will become a free agent after the 2025/26 season.
At 41 years old, LeBron is focused on winning a fifth NBA championship. His agent, Rich Paul, said that James “wants to make every season he has left count.” Many top teams, like the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers, want to sign him. But there’s also talk that he could return to the Miami Heat, where he won two of his NBA titles.
The Heat recently added Giannis Antetokounmpo and are looking into signing Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, showing they’re serious about building a strong team. They want LeBron to come back to Miami for another chapter in his career.
Even though the new NBA season starts in October and LeBron isn’t in a big hurry to decide, ESPN’s Shams Charania said it’s “decision time” for him as “all the information is in.”
When LeBron first played for the Heat, he wore No. 6. But he’s best known for No. 23, which he wore at the Cavaliers and Lakers. That number is a big part of his brand—even a Nike shoe is tied to it. The problem? The Heat retired No. 23 to honor Michael Jordan, so LeBron can’t wear that number if he returns.
In 2003, before Michael Jordan’s final game at Miami’s Kaseya Center, Heat coach Pat Riley said: “No one will ever wear No. 23 for the Miami Heat. You’re the best.” That’s why LeBron wasn’t allowed to wear No. 23 when he joined the Heat seven years later.
LeBron also can’t wear No. 6 there because the NBA retired that number league-wide to honor Bill Russell, the 11-time champion who passed away in 2023. Even though players could keep wearing it, LeBron switched back to No. 23 out of respect.
LeBron has worn No. 23 for 16 of his 23 NBA seasons and No. 6 for the other seven. In high school, he wore No. 32, but that’s retired by the Heat for Shaquille O’Neal. So if he does come back to Miami, LeBron will need to pick a totally new jersey number.