Reports claim George has applied, and been granted, right to switch numbers…
Indiana Pacers star Paul George is understood to be changing his jersey number next season, going from No.24 to No.13.
According to ESPN, the 24-year-old has already applied for, and been granted, the jersey number and because he applied before the March deadline, he doesn’t have to pay for the remaining old jerseys on the market.
However, it is understood that he has elected to do so anyway, as per league rules, a player who changes his jersey number on the same team must buy up all of the old jerseys on the market too.
George has previously hinted at liking the idea of changing to No.13, with the idea initially being presented by ESPN’s Bill Simmons on Grantland back in May 2013.
“By the way, I have some advice that will help Paul George become a household name,” Simmons wrote.
“He should change his number immediately from No. 24 to No. 13. Here’s why … can you think of anyone being helped by a nickname more than Paul George suddenly becoming PG-13? ‘Uh-oh, PG-13 is heating up!’ ‘Warning, this game contains strong language, violence and a possible heat check!’ ‘We might have to make this performance rated R — it’s too hot to handle!’ Let’s make this happen already.”
As part of his message to his supporters after suffering a horror injury whilst on Team USA duty earlier this month, George dropped another hint at making the change after tweeting ‘#YoungTrece’, with the latter part meaning 13 in Spanish.
It remains to be seen whether or not the decision does anything for his popularity when it comes to jersey sales, as after finishing 15th last season according to sales at the NBA Store in New York and the online store, there is an argument to suggest that it is merely a direct effect of the market in which he plays.
Meanwhile, it is the second high profile jersey number change this summer after LeBron James announced that he would return to wearing No.23 with the Cleveland Cavaliers but unlike George, he did not have to file for a change because he was changing teams.
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