As the NBA offseason continues, several high-profile players have confirmed their jersey numbers for the upcoming 2024-2025 campaign, marking shifts for established stars and continuity for others. Giannis Antetokounmpo has officially transitioned to wearing the No. 7 jersey for the Milwaukee Bucks, while Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has confirmed he will retain the No. 1, ending recent speculation regarding potential changes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Switch to No. 7
The Milwaukee Bucks franchise cornerstone, Giannis Antetokounmpo, will debut a new number this season. After wearing No. 34 throughout his entire 11-year NBA career, Antetokounmpo has officially transitioned to No. 7. The move follows his participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he represented Greece wearing the same number. According to league communications, the change reflects a personal shift for the two-time MVP as he enters his 12th professional season. Antetokounmpo remains under contract with the Bucks, with his current supermax extension running through the 2027-2028 season.
LaMelo Ball and Jaylen Brown Confirm Numbers
While some players opted for change, others have solidified their brand identity. Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has confirmed he will continue wearing No. 1 for the 2024-2025 season. Despite rumors circulating during the offseason regarding a potential transition to a different digit, the Hornets’ official roster designations confirm Ball will maintain the number he has worn since entering the league in 2020.
Similarly, Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, the reigning NBA Finals MVP, has confirmed he will retain his No. 7 jersey. Brown, who recently signed a historic five-year supermax contract extension, remains a central figure in the Celtics’ title defense strategy. His decision to keep the number provides stability for a franchise looking to repeat as champions.
Context of NBA Roster Management
Jersey number changes in the NBA are subject to strict league-wide policies. Players are generally required to file requests with the league office and their respective teams well in advance of the season opener. For players who have been with their teams for multiple years, a change often requires the player to buy out existing unsold inventory of their jerseys from retailers.
This period of the offseason, often referred to as the late stages of Free Agency, remains active as teams finalize their training camp rosters. While the major contract signings of July have largely concluded, teams are currently filling out their 21-man training camp limits. The official NBA Transaction Wire continues to track these roster adjustments, including the finalization of jersey assignments as players report for media day.
Implications for the Upcoming Season
The stabilization of rosters and uniform numbers allows the league to shift focus toward the preseason schedule. The 2024-2025 NBA season is set to begin in October, with the annual preseason games serving as the primary opportunity for coaching staffs to integrate new acquisitions. For the Bucks, the change in Antetokounmpo’s number serves as a visual marker for a season where the team looks to move past injury-plagued playoff exits in previous years.
Fans looking to track official roster updates and jersey assignments can monitor the league’s official team portals. As training camps open, further adjustments to bench rotations and roster spots are expected across the league. The next major checkpoint for teams is the commencement of training camps in late September, followed by the first slate of exhibition games.
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