Mavs’ Dereck Lively II to Wear No. 2; Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr. Change Numbers
For all the basketball nerds out there, it's always exciting to see what number rookies or new players on your team will wear.
At the end of Monday's introductory press conference for Dallas Mavericks' draftees Dereck Lively II and OMax Prosper, the two rookies showcased their new numbers, with one of the jerseys sporting a familiar digit for a current Mavs free agent.
Prior to the draftees posing for a photo with their jerseys, No. 2 for Lively and No. 18 for Prosper, Mavs VP of Basketball Communications Scott Tomlin announced that Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kyrie Irving, if re-signed, will be wearing new numbers in the 2023-24 season.
Tomlin said that once the Mavericks-Nets trade took place last season, Hardaway Jr. requested to switch from No. 11 to the now vacant No. 10 left behind by Dorian Finney-Smith. Hardaway Jr.'s dad, Hall-of-Famer Tim Hardaway Sr., wore No. 10 throughout his career including his one-year stint with the Mavs in 2001-02.
Irving, upon arriving in Dallas, requested to wear No. 11, which he had worn over the last six seasons in Brooklyn and Boston. Due to the mid-season request, the number switch was unable to happen and had to be tabled until the offseason.
So, outside of learning more about both Lively and Prosper today, we also might have gotten some inside info on the likelihood that Irving remains in Dallas. And though nothing is certain, this announcement and all league-wide speculation point toward a reunion.
And to all the Mavs fans who already purchased a No. 2 Irving jersey, let's hope Dallas allows you swap it out for a new No. 11. jersey -- if he re-signs.
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