NBA free agency kicked off with a bang bright and early Monday morning, headlined by a blockbuster four-year, $212 million deal that sends Paul George to the City of Brotherly Love.
A nine-time All-Star, one would assume George would be able to wear whatever number he wanted anywhere he might play — especially with a nickname like PG-13. However, the only thing that could stop him from toting his No. 13 from Los Angeles is the league’s old guard, some of whom have earned the right to wear their numbers in the rafters after their time on the court is done.
Unfortunately for George, a new number is inevitable. What number that will be is still to be determined, and whether a new nickname will come with it is up in the air.
MORE: Why did Paul George leave Clippers for 76ers?
Why can’t Paul George wear No. 13 with the 76ers?
Long before George began to wear No. 13 as a member of the Indiana Pacers, the number carried special significance in the City of Brotherly Love. The 76ers retired the number in 1991 to honor Wilt Chamberlain, who donned 13 in Philly from 1965 to 1968.
A four-time league MVP, Chamberlain famously notched his 100-point game in a Philadelphia Warriors jersey in 1962. The single-game scoring record still stands the test of time. He played for the Warriors from 1959-1962 before moving with the team to San Francisco from 1962-1965. He then moved back to Philadelphia to join the newly minted 76ers for four seasons.
Aside from winning two NBA titles (one with the 76ers in 1967 and one with the Lakers in 1972), Chamberlain was also a 13-time NBA All-Star and 10-time All-NBA selection. Chamberlain is a fixture of the league and a legend of the game — unfortunately for George, that means No. 13 is not an option in his new digs.
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What number will Paul George wear with the 76ers?
It hasn’t yet been decided what number George will wear in Philadelphia. That being said, 13 isn’t the only number he has worn in the league.
From 2010 to 2014, George wore 24 as an Indiana Pacer before opting for 13 for the following years. No one on the current 76ers roster wears 24, so that will be an option if he decides to backtrack.
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Paul George jersey number history
George also wore No. 24 in college during his two seasons at Fresno State from 2008-2010. This will be the third number he has worn in the NBA on his fourth different team.
| Number | Years | Team(s) |
| 24 | 2010-2014 | Pacers |
| 13 | 2015-2024 | Pacers, Thunder, Clippers |
| ? | Present | 76ers |
76ers retired numbers
10 former Philly stars have earned the right for their numbers to be honored permanently in the rafters.
Here are the deserving 76ers whose digits have been retired:
| Number | Player | Years with 76ers |
| 2 | Moses Malone | 1982-86, 1993-94 |
| 3 | Allen Iverson | 1996-2006, 2009-10 |
| 4 | Dolph Schayes | 1949-1963 |
| 6 | Julius Erving | 1976-1987 |
| 10 | Maurice Cheeks | 1978-1989 |
| 13 | Wilt Chamberlain | 1965-1968 |
| 15 | Hal Greer | 1958-1973 |
| 24 | Bobby Jones | 1978-1986 |
| 32 | Billy Cunningham | 1965-1972, 1974-76 |
| 34 | Charles Barkley | 1984-1992 |