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James told The Plain Dealer on Monday that he’s filed the paperwork with the NBA office to switch his jersey number from No. 23 to No. 6 next season. He had to make the decision this week, the deadline to make the request to the NBA is Wednesday.

The NBA does not have to fulfill the request, players who don’t change teams have to apply to change their number in March before the previous season. However, the wave of new jersey sales the switch promises to trigger would likely be too enticing for the league to turn down. In 2006, Kobe Bryant requested his number to be changed from No. 8 to No. 24. The NBA approved the move and Bryant’s jerseys quickly shot to No. 1 in sales across the world. James has been in the top three in jersey sales in the U.S., China and Europe in recent years but hasn’t enjoyed the top spot for several years. Player do not directly benefit from merchandise sales, however. It goes into a league-wide pool that is distributed to teams and then players based on seniority.

Lebron James has wore the #23 since his sophomore year of high school, but next season he wants to change to #6 to honor NBA Legend Michael Jordan. #6 is the number he wore in the Olympics and during Cavaliers practice.

Back in November LeBron went as far to say that he wanted to start a petition to get everyone in the league to follow suit. Lucky for LeBron their are only 9 players in the league that wear #23, Tony Douglas, Stephen Graham, Wes Matthews, Jodie Meeks, Jason Richardson, C.J. Watson, Martell Webster, and Lou Williams.

Many will think LeBron is copying Kobe Bryant when he changed from #8 to #24. The interesting thing to remember is Kobe changed numbers while still on the Lakers, whereas Lebron could be #6 on any team next year…..like the team that has a retired #23, the Chicago Bulls. Major League Baseball retired Jackie Robinson’s #42, and putting MJ in that company is a little off course but at least the notion from LeBron for the 12 players to take part is respectable.

Good for LeBron James paying respect to his elders. Oh and this is hilarious by the way: