Should the Lakers eventually retire LeBron James’ No. 23?

After switching to the No. 6 prior to the 2021-22 season, LeBron James is officially switching back to wearing No. 23 for the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season. LeBron is making the switch back to 23 out of respect for Bill Russell, whose No. 6 was retired league-wide ahead of the 2022-23 season.

LeBron had the ability to keep wearing the No. 6 as it was grandfathered in but he ultimately decided to switch back to the number that he has been wearing for most of his career. LeBron’s career with the Lakers will end with the same number that it started with five years ago.

This brings up an interesting conversation, though. When the dust ultimately settles and the organization is looking back at this run a decade from now, will it decide to retire LeBron’s number? After changing back to 23, LeBron has given the team an easy option to retire.

Sure, he wore No. 6 for two years, but retiring No. 23 would be more fitting and would encapsulate his entire run. But that raises the question — which is a polarizing one — should the Lakers actually retire LeBron’s number?

The Los Angeles Lakers absolutely should retire LeBron James’ No. 23.

This is controversial to a lot of Lakers fans because let’s be honest, LeBron James has never been the most popular player in LA. Lakers fans already disliked him before he became a Laker because he stole some of Kobe Bryant’s spotlight as the best player in the world. Once he joined the Lakers, most fans simply tolerated him.

Personal feelings aside, the Lakers have made the requirements for getting a number retired pretty clear. For the most part, someone has to make the Hall of Fame and win a championship to get their number retired with the organization. The only exception to the championship rule is Elgin Baylor and that is for obvious reasons as he is an all-time great.

A player doesn’t even have to be the best player on the team during a championship to get their number retired (even though LeBron has been). Pau Gasol wasn’t the best player on the Lakers for his two championships, but being a key part of those two titles made him an obvious candidate.

Some Lakers fans would point to Gasol’s tenure with the team and the fact he won two titles as the bar for LeBron to cross. Even if he doesn’t win a second championship, though, he has done more than enough to get his number retired.

Let’s assume the 2023-24 season is LeBron’s last in LA and the team makes the playoffs but doesn’t win a title. That would give LeBron six seasons in LA, four playoff berths, a championship and a Finals MVP. That would be six all-star seasons (assumingly), and at least five All-NBA nods.

Gail Goodrich spent nine years in LA, won one championship and was never the best player on the team. He made earned four all-star nods and one All-NBA nod. Jamaal Wilkes spent eight seasons with the Lakers, was never the best player on the team, made two all-star games and was never All-NBA. Sure, he won three titles, but he was never more than a role player on those teams.

Perhaps the best player to compare LeBron James to is Wilt Chamberlain. Chamberlain has his No. 13 retired even though most of his legacy is remembered for his time before joining the Lakers, much like LeBron’s will be.

Chamberlain played five seasons with the Lakers. He won one championship. He earned four all-star nods and one All-NBA team. Just like LeBron, Chamberlain ended his Lakers career as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

If all of these players got their number retired by the team then news flash: LeBron James is going to get his number retired too. It doesn’t matter how much you like or dislike him.