LeBron James: Don't Change To No. 6

LeBron James will have a different number next season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers hope he won't have a different uniform.

According to league sources, the Cleveland superstar filed paperwork on Tuesday that will allow him to change from No. 23 to No. 6 next season.

Earlier this season, James said the NBA should retire number 23 league-wide in respect of Michael Jordan.

"All it does is back up LeBron’s beliefs,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "He’s a loyalty guy. When he believes in something, he sticks to his guns and he believes wholeheartedly in what he’s doing.”

So far, only the Chicago Bulls (who Jordan played the majority of his career for) and the Miami Heat have retired Jordan's number. The Heat have also retired NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino's No. 13.

Good news for the Cleveland Cavaliers is that they will make a haul on new No. 6 merchandise next season.

If LeBron stays in Cleveland next season that is.

James is set to be a free agent this summer, and if he is hell-bent on wearing No. 6, you can forget about James going to Sacramento, Orlando, Philadelphia, Boston, and Phoenix, as they have all retired number six.

But why James selected No. 6 as his new uniform is a mystery. No. 6 is his uniform number during the Olympics, but if James was concerned about Jordan's 23 getting league-wide retirement, why six?

It isn't like No. 6 hasn't been worn by any all-time greats.

How about Bill Russell?

Russell was the first black superstar in the NBA, led the Boston Celtics to 11 NBA titles, and was the NBA's first black head coach. If anybody deserves league-wide retirement, it would be Russell's No. 6.

Or what about Julius Erving?

Dr. J won three titles, four MVP awards, and revolutionized the game by playing above the rim. Without Dr. J, there would be no LBJ.

Hey, LeBron. Why not No. 8? No team in the league has retired that one yet. Or what about 26 or 28? 29, 37, 38, and 39 haven't been retired either.

If LeBron James is worried about giving Michael Jordan league-wide retirement, why chose the number of the athlete who opened the door for blacks in the NBA?

LeBron should not wear No. 6, and should choose an un-retired number to begin his own legacy.