LOS ANGELES — For 18 seasons in Utah, Karl Malone wore nothing but No. 32.
Now that The Mailman will be delivering in Los Angeles, however, he will need another number.
Because as much as Lakers legend Magic Johnson wanted to give Malone the shirt off his back, Malone said he just would not feel right wearing Magic's retired 32.
"I'm honored to wear Magic's 32," Malone, the former Jazz power forward, said shortly after accepting a Lakers jersey of his own with both his last name and the number on its back.
"I also feel that, out of the utmost respect, I don't think 32 should be taken out of the rafters," Malone added during a press conference introducing him and fellow free agent Gary Payton as the two newest members of the Lakers. "I think that Magic's jersey should be in the rafters."
With that, Malone — who kept the jersey Magic gave him as a memento — said he would choose a new number to wear in his new home. But he isn't sure yet what it will be.
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One option: "I thought about going with my high school number, which my daughter's wearing."
Cheryl Ford, who plays for the WNBA's Detroit Shock, wears No. 35.
Magic, who was willing to do whatever he could to lure Malone to L.A., seemed surprised by the gesture.
But more shocking to him is the fact Malone was willing to play in L.A. for just $1.5 million, well below market value for the NBA's No. 2 all-time scorer, even at almost 40 years of age.
"Forget the jersey. The jerseys are small," Johnson said. "I'm just happy he's here, and willing to sacrifice so much."
E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com