Lakers Offseason: Josh Hart Changes To Jersey No. 3

Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers have undergone several changes this offseason, led by the signing of LeBron James and a handful of veterans to round out the roster. While James and the likes of Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Javale McGee and Michael Beasley changed jerseys, Josh Hart is switching numbers.

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The Lakers announced he will now wear No. 3, which was Hart’s number at Villanova, in lieu of No. 5. The switch takes effect for the 2018-19 season, as Hart was in his rookie No. 5 during Summer League.

He was initially only expected to play one game in Sacramento and one in Las Vegas, but the 23-year-old successfully lobbied his way to appearing in all but one possible Summer League game.

Like the Lakers, Hart was slow out of the gate in Sacramento but turned a corner as the team moved on to the desert.

He earned Las Vegas Summer League MVP honors en route to guiding the Lakers to the championship game for a second consecutive year. However, the tournament ended in frustration and disappointment as Hart was ejected before the Lakers lost to the Portland Trail Blazers in a rematch of last year’s title game.

It left a negative taste in Hart’s mouth and he immediately said his focus was on training camp and getting back on the court. He’ll now get to do so in a new, er, old, jersey number.

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