Paul George is reclaiming his old identity. The newly acquired Celtics forward will wear No. 13 in Boston, the team confirmed in a social media post that showed him holding his official jersey. It’s the number he carried during his prime years in Indiana, Oklahoma City, and Los Angeles — the one that earned him the PG-13 nickname that stuck through All-Star appearances and playoff runs.
He had to give it up in Philadelphia. The 76ers have No. 13 retired for Wilt Chamberlain, so George went with No. 8 as a tribute to Kobe Bryant. Solid gesture. But Boston doesn’t have that problem. The number was available, and George grabbed it.
The Celtics landed George this offseason in a trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the Sixers. That move got roasted on social media by fans and analysts who thought Boston gave up too much for a 36-year-old with an injury history. Fair or not, George seems comfortable with the change. The jersey photo showed him smiling, and the caption from the team made it clear they’re leaning into the PG-13 brand.
On the court, George is coming off a 2025-26 season where he averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting just under 44 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from three. Those numbers are down from his peak, sure. But he’s still a legit two-way wing who can create his own shot when he’s healthy. The question is whether he can stay on the floor for 70-plus games and a deep playoff run.
Boston didn’t stop with George. The front office also signed former Knicks center Mitchell Robinson to take over as the starting five. That gives them a defensive anchor and a legit rebounder in the middle — something they lacked at times last season. With Brown gone, the rotation shakes out differently now. The Celtics need somebody besides George and Jayson Tatum to step up consistently, especially in the halfcourt when the offense bogs down.
Old number, new chapter
It’s not every day a 16-year veteran gets to go back to the number that defined his career. George spent years with No. 13 in Indiana, Oklahoma City, and with the Clippers. He built his reputation wearing it. The Celtics are letting him bring that history with him, and there’s a symbolic weight to it — even if uniforms don’t win games.
Training camp hasn’t started yet, but the early returns on this Boston roster feel promising on paper. Tatum is still the engine. George gives them another perimeter scorer who can defend multiple positions. Robinson cleans up the glass. The rest of the roster needs to prove it can hold up in the postseason, but the starting five has a real two-way look to it.
George will turn 37 during the season. The Celtics are betting that his skill set ages better than his injury history suggests. If PG-13 can stay on the court, this trade might look a lot smarter than it did the night it was announced.
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