Top 50 Greatest Los Angeles Lakers Players of All-Time

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the winningest franchises in NBA history and have produced some of the greatest championship moments and many of the greatest players to step on an NBA court. This list will pay homage to the 50 greatest Los Angeles Lakers of all time.

#50 Mike McGee

While a role player during his time with the Lakers, he played fantastic within his role. He was a spark plug for the team, able to find his shot whenever called upon. Towards his last years with the team, McGee even developed a decent three-point shot, something rare for his time. McGee’s contributions to two NBA championships and the Lakers’ golden years puts him on this list.

#49 Ron Harper

While Ron Harper was best known as the Michael Jordan stopper, Harper played an integral role in the Laker’s title run with Kobe and Shaq. With the Lakers, Harper was a veteran role player on the last legs of his career. However, he made his name known with Lakers fans for delivering key minutes in clutch situations. Without Ron Harper as a steady point guard presence, the Lakers might not have three-peated.

#48 Sam Perkins

Sam Perkins only played three seasons with the Lakers. However, Perkins was integral to the Lakers’ playoff runs during the early ’90s period. The starting power forward of the Magic Johnson lead-Lakers, Perkins, was a powerhouse down low. He dominated on defense and showed an ability to score off pick and rolls. While they lost to the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in 1990-1991, Perkins’s contributions established a period of post-Kareem success.

#47 Luke Walton

From former Laker player to Laker head coach, Luke Walton has cemented himself in Laker’s history. While never more than a solid role player for the Lakers, Walton was one of those glue guys who made everyone’s job easier. Always playing within his role, Walton was a massive piece in the Lakers back-to-back championships in 09’ and 10’.

#46 Glen Rice

Glen Rice only played two seasons with the Lakers but was an integral part of the 00’ and 01’ championships. The third piece behind Kobe and Shaq, Rice dominated opposing small forwards with roughly 18 points per game. Often forgotten during this championship era, Rice was the additional scoring piece that made this team so successful.

#45 Metta World Peace

Arguably the greatest bad-boy basketball player, Metta World Peace made a name for himself during the Malice at the Palace. Later in his career, talks surrounding his bad-boy reputation reemerged after he viciously elbowed James Harden in the head. In between these events and a name change later, Metta World Peace was a fan favorite for the energy and hustle he brought to the Lakers squad. He roared the Staples Center to life with his countless steals and empathetic dunks. Additionally, his name made him a fan favorite amongst the youth.

#44 Archie Clark

The third star after Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, Archie Clark, was downright dominant in his role with the team. Archie Clark was a force in his two seasons with the team – his rookie and sophomore seasons – averaging 19 points per game. This boost pushed the Lakers to playoff success in the late 60s but failed to push them over the edge. Regardless, many believe the Lakers wouldn’t have gotten far in the playoffs without Clark’s presence on the team.

#43 Rod “Hot Rod” Hundley

Another player during the Jerry West and Elgin Baylor years, Hot Rod Hundley, was a key role player for this squad. He led the team in assists in the few seasons before Jerry West. Once Jerry West was drafted, Hundley took a backseat. However, the traits that defined him, impressive dribbling skills and quirky maneuvers, were ever so present. Hot Rod Hundley nearly created the showtime Lakers two decades early.

#42 Frank Selvy

Frank Selvy already had an impressive college career,, including a 100-point game and one of the greatest NCAA buzzer-beaters. But his later years with the Lakers were some of his best. He was the quintessential role player at the small forward position, always making the timely shot or hustle play to seal a victory. The Lakers would not have made back-to-back finals without Selvy.

#41 Andrew Bynum

Andrew Bynum could have been an all-time great Laker had injuries not taken a toll on his body. The dominant center had some of the best offensive footwork I’ve ever seen at the position. Even with such an impressive offensive game, Bynum was a premier interior defender,, averaging nearly two blocks per game. An integral piece to the Lakers back-to-back championships in the later 2000s, we can’t help but wonder what if for Andrew Bynum.

#40 Mel Counts

Mel Counts had two stints with the Lakers (the mid-60s and early 70s), bringing both eras playoff success. Every season he played, the Lakers made the playoffs. His presence was a huge reason the Lakers made the postseason 15 years straight. Die-hard Laker fans do not forget the 7-0 menace.

#39 Jim McMillian

Jim McMillian joined the Lakers with high expectations as he was replacing Elgin Baylor. However, McMillian rose to the occasion, scoring 19 points per game in the playoffs during their 1972 championship run. He was wise behind his years as his attitude towards the game resonated with the veteran leaders on the team. Displaying a lethal mid-range game and ability to drive to the basket, McMillian was integral in the Lakers’ 1972 championship and future playoff appearances.

#38 Ced Ceballos

Ced Ceballos only played for the Lakers for three seasons, but that was all that was needed to cement his legacy. Ceballos averaged 20+ points per game in all three seasons, leading the Lakers to records above .580 and consecutive playoff appearances. While they never reached the finals, Ceballos was critical in keeping the Lakers afloat post-Magic Johnson.

#37 Cazzie Russell

Cazzie Russell led a star-powered Knicks team to an NBA championship over the Lakers. Yet, he was so good he had to make the Lakers list, too. While his three years with the Purple and Gold led to zero playoff appearances, Russell was not at fault. A consistent scoring option, Cazzie consistently elevated his teammate’s play. Unfortunately, the mid-70s Lakers simply lacked the star power to contend for a title.

#36 Sedale Threatt

Sedale Threatt is the 90s version of Cazzie Russell. While joining the Lakers later in his career, Sedale brought consistent and playmaking out of the point guard position. However, the Lakers failed to find success in the playoffs. Part of the problem was the Magic Johnson retirement. Another problem was the stacked Western Conference, including the Jazz and Trailblazers. However, fans can attest that Threatt was not one of those problems.

#35 Nick Van Exel

Nick Van Exel began his successful career with the Purple and Gold in the mid-90s. Van Exel had high expectations as he was drafted to replace the great Magic Johnson. While he never reached those levels, Van Exel held his own, averaging a consistent 15 points and seven assists. Van Exel ultimately stabilized the otherwise “tanking” the Lakers.

#34 Elden Campbell

Elden Campbell played the entire 90s decade with the Lakers. Sadly, the season he left, 1999-2000, the Lakers won a championship. Again, the problem was not Elden Campbell but a stacked Western Conference featuring the Jazz, Trailblazers, and Rockets. Also, Magic Johnson was not himself after he emerged from post-retirement. Regardless, Campbell became the face of the Lakers in the ’90s.

#33 Bob McAdoo

Bob McAdoo was one of the best shooting big men of all time proving key for the golden-age showtime Lakers. While McAdoo never started for the Lakers, he averaged over 10 points per game in a bench role. With such a stacked Lakers team, this number was no easy feat. Ultimately, Bob McAdoo solidified a bench unit that would always remain strong with his presence. For that, McAdoo had to crack the top 30.

#32 Jim Pollard

Nicknamed the “Kangaroo Kid,” Jim Pollard was one of the most athletic forwards of the 50s era with his ability to dunk from the free-throw line. Averaging nearly 14 points per game, Pollard and George Mikan and Vern Mikkelsen won five titles for the original Minneapolis Lakers.

#31 Happy Hairston

Happy Hairston was a legend in the Lakers community. On the field, he and Wilt Chamberlain established one of the most dominant frontcourts in NBA history. Hairston was gifted on the boards, averaging roughly 13 rebounds per game. Off the field, Hairston dabbled in television, appearing on several shows, including Sanford and Sons and Happy Days.

#30 Mychal Thompson

Mychal Thompson, father of Klay Thompson, was a crucial role player on the Lakers 1987 and 1988 title teams. Coming off a trade from the Spurs, Thompson provided the defensive energy to neutralize the historically excellent Celtics frontcourt of McHale, Bird, and Parrish. Overall, Thompson’s presence as a backup helped to solidify their frontcourt and elevate the team to two championships.

#29 Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones was a fan favorite in the late 90s. Jones was a high flyer whose ability to intercept passing lanes led to impressive transition dunks. He was always in the right place at the right time on offense to make timely jump shots. The two-time all-star and all-defensive team player made considerable contributions to the late 90s Laker’s squad. His status as a fan favorite elevates him on this list.

#28 Clyde Loveletter

Hall of Famer Clyde Loveletter revolutionized the NBA with his one-handed hook shots. Clyde also had a vast arsenal of offensive plays, which he used to average 17 points per game with the Lakers. He was one of the most significant pieces for the Lakers championship 1954 championship, a fan favorite on the team.

#27 Rudy LaRusso

Rudy LaRusso was a Laker legend during the Elgin Baylor and Jerry West days. One of the league’s premier power forwards, LaRusso and Baylor created a menacing frontcourt centered around defense and explosive playmaking. While he didn’t win a title with the Lakers, LaRusso’s solid 15 points and 9 rebounds per game solidified him as one of the greatest Lakers.

#26 Vlade Divac

Vlade Divac is often considered amongst the best European players to step on an NBA court. Drafted by the Lakers in 1989, Divac’s offensive footwork was second to none, leading the Lakers to playoff appearances in the early 90s. Divac also had the charisma of some of the greatest Lakers, appearing on commercials and television sitcoms. Divac embraced the Laker style of play and charisma off the court.

#25 Rick Fox

Mr. Hollywood aka Rick Fox fit perfectly with the Lakers. He married actress Vanessa Williams and has starred in a variety of television series. On the court, Fox was the spokesman for the Shaq and Kobe Lakers using his calm presence to quell many of the stronger personalities on the team. Ultimately, Fox’s role as a contributing starter helped propel the Lakers dynasty under Kobe and Shaq to three titles.

#24 Kurt Rambis

Kurt Rambis is another one of those scrappy, energetic role players every championship team needs. The Lakers were no exception, as Rambis’s defensive intensity, effort, and scrappy play helped to cement the Lakers dynasty in the 80s. It didn’t stop there as he coached the Lakers under Phil Jackson to two more championships. Overall, Rambis played a part in 6 Lakers titles.

#23 Norm Nixon

Norm Nixon energized Lakers fans for years with his elite shooting and creative playmaking. Two all-star appearances, two NBA championships, and part of one of the most iconic plays in NBA history, Nixon had a very successful hall-of-fame career. Lakers fans shouldn’t forget his consistent presence.

#22 Vern Mikkelsen

Vern Mikkelsen was one of the OG Minneapolis Lakers. Alongside George Mikan, the duo dominated opposing NBA frontcourts to four titles. In his ten year career, Mikkelsen averaged roughly 14 points and 10 rebounds per game with his strength being on the defensive end. Ultimately this strength proved necessary in bringing four titles to the Lakers franchise.

#21 Robert Horry

Robert Horry didn’t get his 7 rings out of pure luck. He didn’t impress statistically and was relegated to a bench role with the Lakers. However, his leadership and clutch shooting were second to none. When you needed Robert Horry to make a shot, Robert Horry would make that shot 99 out of 100 times. Horry will always be remembered for his clutch shooting that led the Lakers to their three-peat.

#20 AC Green

Lakers fans should appreciate Green for always showing up to play. The NBA’s first Iron Man player, Green, held the record for most games played in a row at 1192 straight games. Green was always great off the glass, finishing in the top 10 in offensive rebounds per game. His consistent presence in every game helped the Lakers overcome injuries and bring the team to three straight NBA titles.

#19 Slater Martin

Slater Martin was a staple on the defensive end for the Minnesota Lakers. While not the most athletically gifted guard, Martin had a knack for intercepting passing lanes. He was the scrappy Matthew Dellavedova or Patrick Beverley of his time beloved by his teammates but despised by opposing teams. He was simply relentless in attacking the ball and ultimately contributed to four championships for the Lakers.

#18 Jamaal Wilkes

Forward Jamaal Wilkes is one of the greatest Lakers of all time but was often overshadowed by other great legends, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. What made Wilkes so deadly was his ability to score at any position on the court. With Magic Johnson as the de-facto point guard, Wilkes made coaches pay by beating one-on-one matchups. A 20-point scorer during his prime, coupled with 4 NBA titles and three all-star appearances, solidified Wilkes’s excellent career.

#17 Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper is considered by many to be the best defensive player of his era. Brought in to guard the likes of Larry Bird, Cooper held his own, neutralizing Larry Bird enough for the showtime Lakers to dominate the late 80s. Cooper was a fan favorite as he stopped Bird on countless drives to the basket. An 8-time all-defensive team player, he stands out as the greatest defender in Laker’s history.

#16 Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom was one of the most talented offensive players (not named Kobe Bryant or Pau Gasol) on the 2008-09 and 2009-10 Lakers championship teams. Odom helped Los Angeles go back-to-back in the late 2000s, averaging 11 points, nine rebounds, and three assists per game on roughly 48% shooting from the field. Few 6-foot-10 forwards in the game’s history have had the playmaking, ball-handling, and flash that Odom possessed; he will forever be a Laker legend.

#15 Derek Fisher

The Lakers were a team of riches in having both Robert Horry and Derek Fisher on their squads. Derek Fisher was just as clutch as Robert Horry if not even more clutch. Time after time, Derek Fisher made big shot after big shot. Ultimately, this assisted in 5 Lakers titles. His steady presence and veteran leadership proved as valuable as his clutch gene.

#14 Byron Scott

Byron Scott is another Laker legend often overlooked because he played with so many other Laker legends. However, his impact should not be forgotten. Scott was a three-point specialist who provided balance to the showtime Lakers, who dominated the interior. In his prime, Byron Scott led one of the greatest Laker teams ever (87-88’) in scoring with 21.7 points per game while also tallying four rebounds and four assists per game. Winning three titles, contributing to the development of Kobe Bryant, and coaching the Lakers post-retirement puts Scott in the top 15.

#13 Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis’s 2019-20 season for the Los Angeles Lakers resulted in an NBA Championship, but the following seasons have not quite lived up to the first one. Davis has faced a plethora of injuries, which have derailed much of his time in Los Angeles; however, when he is on the floor, he is one of the best two-way forwards in the game, dominating the paint on both ends of the floor.

#12 Gail Goodrich

Nicknamed “Stumpy,” Gail Goodrich had an illustrious career with the Lakers, finishing in the top ten of many Lakers records. A key piece to the 1972 championship team, Goodrich was an elite scorer, averaging over 22 points per game his entire career with the Lakers. While often overlooked because of Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, fans should not forget Goodrich’s role in providing instant offense to this team.

#11 Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol had an impressive career and was the missing piece in the Lakers 2009 championship run. The Spaniard was traded to the Lakers after Andrew Bynum suffered a severe knee injury, ultimately leading the team to a 22-5 record. For his career, Gasol was an 18-point 11 rebound power forward who dominated with his finesse moves. Pau Gasol is a major reason the Lakers were able to bring home back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.

#10 James Worthy

James Worthy was essential to the success of the showtime Lakers. Worthy led the team in scoring in two of the most successful Lakers championship runs (87 and 88’). He could score efficiently at any point on the court and provided a crutch when teams overplayed Johnson or Kareem. Worthy was the kind of player that coaches simply couldn’t account for and he always seemed to make them pay in a big way.

#9 Elgin Baylor

Elgin Baylor was one of the most exciting players in NBA history. NBA coaches feared him because he could do anything on the court. With his classic running bank shots, Baylor was unstoppable. While he didn’t win a title until his final season with the Lakers, Baylor’s dominant offensive game inspired a generation of Lakers fans and players.

#8 Wilt Chamberlain

13-time all-star, 4-time MVP, and 10-time all-NBA Wilt Chamberlain had to make this list. Chamberlain came to the Lakers in the latter portion of his career but was nonetheless a dominant presence for the team. While he didn’t dominate possession after possession as he did with the 76ers, Wilt focused more on his defense and playmaking ability. This proved key in the Lakers 1972 title run.

#7 LeBron James

LeBron is entering his sixth season with the Los Angeles Lakers; he has already won an NBA Championship in 2019-20 and made a Western Conference Finals in 2022-23, despite a variety of injuries to himself, Anthony Davis, and others over the past few seasons. James would have to win a few more championships with Los Angeles to climb much higher than seventh on our list, but he has already cemented his legacy for the Purple and Gold with a win in “The Bubble.”

#6 George Mikan

George Mikan was one of the most dominant players of his era. Five-time champion George Mikan dominated with his 6-10 height, playing above anyone else. Mikan averaged over 26 points per game for multiple seasons and used his size to become a defensive menace for any offense. Mikan carried the earlier Minneapolis Lakers in the 50s and, for that, deserves a top spot on this list.

#5 Jerry West

The logo himself, Jerry West, is an all-time great player and all-time Laker. Despite his illustrious career, West only won one championship with the Lakers organization. While disappointing, to say the least, fans appreciated West because of his dedication to the team despite their heartbreak. He is also one of three Lakers to get a statue outside the Staples Arena. Of course, Jerry West is a top-ten Laker.

#4 Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal, along with Kobe Bryant, created one of the most dynamic duos in NBA history. Both players fed perfectly well off each other – Shaq would dominate the inside while Kobe would dominate the mid-range area. Shaq was a physical specimen and one of the greatest centers of all-time. Coupled with his three-peat, Shaq had to make this list.

#3 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem is arguably the third-best player in NBA history. The cerebral assassin Kareem beat you with not only his physicality but also his outstanding basketball IQ. He was world-renowned and adored by fans for his unguardable legendary skyhook shot. Kareem’s calm and relaxed demeanor instilled confidence in all of his teammates.

#2 Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson was the heart and soul of the showtime Lakers and arguably the greatest era in basketball history. His charisma was second to none, drawing in younger audiences and bringing his teammates closer together as a unit. He put on a show during his time in LA with no-look passes and alley-hoops on nearly every possession. While his exceptional career was forced to end early, Johnson’s legacy will always live on. Only the No. 1 player on our list can rival Magic Johnson for what he has given to this franchise.

#1 Kobe Bryant

The mamba himself, Kobe Bryant, oozes the Laker attitude. He was a fierce competitor who worked hard but put on a show for the audience. Kobe had his own level of swagger that attracted fans but scared opponents. His most memorable highlights were not the countless game-winners but the time he didn’t flinch when Matt Barnes shoved a ball in his face. Kobe is the epitome of greatness and defines an era that Lakers basketball fans will never forget.