Until 2012, the only player to wear No. 13 for the Oklahoma City Thunder was James Harden. This fall, the lucky number goes to another superstar — and it may be a sign of greater changes to come.
Thunder let Paul George take James Harden’s old number 2 years after rejecting Dion Waiters
Paul George is still PG-13, but he’s ditched the Pacer blue and gold.
On Wednesday, the Thunder released the first official image of All-NBA wing Paul George in uniform since his trade from the Indiana Pacers. The four-time all-star will pair up with 2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook in hopes of bringing Oklahoma City back to the top of the Western Conference.
Wearing No. 13 in Oklahoma City is an honor reserved for top guys. No one has worn that jersey since Harden was shipped to Houston in that controversial 2012 trade. Dion Waiters wasn’t allowed to wear the number after he landed with the club in 2015. Waiters, however, also wasn’t an NBA superstar on the brink of free agency.
George wore No. 24 in college at Fresno State and in his first four seasons with the Pacers, earning a pair of all-star bids in the process. However, he’s leaned in to his “PG-13” nickname by scooping the first number in the teens in recent years. By allowing him to wear Harden’s former number, Oklahoma City is showing the franchise is committed to giving him what he wants — something that could come into play when the 27-year-old hits unrestricted free agency next summer.
The Thunder have just one season to make a positive impression on George, who has made statements showcasing his desire to play for the Lakers once his contract is up. He’s walked those back a bit in recent days, suggesting a big season in Oklahoma could convince him to stay in the Midwest. He’s also said the Lakers would need to add another superstar who can aid the young veteran in his quest for an NBA title.
Oklahoma City already has that star — a young guard who just put up once in a generation numbers when his team needed him the most. Now, the Thunder have to hope those two can not just co-exist, but thrive together. If not, George can depart for greener pastures next summer.
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