Ranking All of the NBA Stars Who Have Been Traded to the Lakers
Ranking All of the NBA Stars Who Have Been Traded to the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, and their success has often been driven by star power. Throughout the years, the Lakers have acquired several NBA stars through trades, and these moves have played a pivotal role in shaping the team’s identity and legacy. From superstars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Shaquille O’Neal, the Lakers have been known for making blockbuster trades to bring in top talent and build championship-winning rosters.
While some trades were immediate successes, others required time to develop and adjust. In this ranking, we’ll take a closer look at all of the NBA stars who have been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, evaluating their contributions, impact on the team, and overall legacy. This list will be determined by factors such as performance during their time with the Lakers, championships won, and how they elevated the team in terms of competitiveness and cultural relevance.
10. Steve Nash
Steve Nash’s arrival in Los Angeles in 2012 was a much-anticipated move. The two-time MVP joined the Lakers in a trade with the Phoenix Suns, hoping to add his playmaking genius to a team that already boasted stars like Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, and Pau Gasol. However, injuries plagued Nash’s time in L.A., and he was never able to fully contribute at the level he had in his prime. While Nash’s vision and basketball IQ were still evident, his body could no longer match the demands of his game.
Nash played only two seasons with the Lakers before injuries forced him into retirement. While he didn’t bring the success many hoped for, his time in L.A. was still notable for his leadership and ability to mentor younger players, despite the team’s inability to make significant playoff runs.
9. Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard’s trade to the Lakers in 2012 was part of a blockbuster deal that sent Andrew Bynum to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers acquired the three-time Defensive Player of the Year and one of the league’s most dominant centers to pair with Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. At the time, it seemed like a perfect fit: Howard was a physical specimen who could protect the rim, rebound, and provide scoring inside.
However, Howard’s tenure with the Lakers was rocky. His relationship with Kobe Bryant was strained, and the team’s performance during his first year in L.A. was underwhelming, as they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. After just one season, Howard left as a free agent to join the Houston Rockets, leaving many fans disappointed with the outcome of the trade. However, in a redemption story years later, Howard returned to the Lakers for the 2019-2020 season, playing a crucial role in the team’s championship run.
While his initial stint in L.A. wasn’t a success, his second time around proved to be vital to the Lakers’ success. Howard’s rebounding, defense, and energy off the bench were essential components of the Lakers’ title in 2020.
8. Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol’s trade from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008 remains one of the best trades in franchise history. The Lakers sent Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, and a few draft picks to Memphis in exchange for Gasol, who would go on to become a key piece of the Lakers’ championship runs in 2009 and 2010.
While Gasol wasn’t the most physically imposing player, his basketball IQ, smooth offensive game, and unselfish passing made him a perfect fit next to Kobe Bryant. Gasol provided the Lakers with a legitimate second star and helped elevate the team to another level. The duo of Bryant and Gasol was one of the most successful in NBA history, leading the Lakers to back-to-back titles.
Gasol’s time with the Lakers also cemented his legacy as one of the most skilled big men of his era. While his impact on the court was undeniable, Gasol was also a beloved figure in Los Angeles, known for his class, humility, and professionalism. His contributions to the Lakers’ success were immeasurable.
7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975 from the Milwaukee Bucks, where he had already won an MVP and an NBA Championship. At the time of the trade, Kareem was still in his prime, and the Lakers were looking to add another superstar to complement their roster, which featured players like Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain.
The acquisition of Kareem turned out to be a franchise-defining moment. Over the next decade, Abdul-Jabbar would lead the Lakers to five championships and become the league’s all-time leading scorer. His skyhook shot, which was nearly impossible to block, became his signature move and a key weapon in the Lakers’ offensive arsenal. Kareem’s leadership, skill, and experience helped elevate the Lakers to the top of the NBA, and his presence made the Lakers a dominant force throughout the 1980s.
Kareem’s time with the Lakers was historic, but his impact goes beyond just the championships and individual accolades. He helped shape the team into one of the most successful franchises in sports history, and his legacy in Los Angeles is cemented.
6. Shaquille O’Neal
In 1996, the Los Angeles Lakers made one of the most significant trades in NBA history by acquiring Shaquille O’Neal from the Orlando Magic. The trade sent a package of players and picks to Orlando, and the Lakers brought in one of the most dominant forces the game had ever seen. Shaq was in the prime of his career and was coming off a dominant season with the Magic, but the Lakers were hoping to pair him with a young star in Kobe Bryant.
Shaq’s time in Los Angeles was nothing short of legendary. Over the next eight years, he led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002, earning Finals MVP honors in each of those series. His dominance in the paint, combined with Kobe Bryant’s scoring ability, created one of the most unstoppable duos in NBA history. Shaq’s physicality and presence transformed the Lakers into a championship powerhouse, and his ability to dominate both ends of the floor was unparalleled.
While Shaq’s time with the Lakers eventually ended in a trade to the Miami Heat in 2004, his impact on the franchise remains undeniable. He helped solidify the Lakers as one of the most successful teams in the NBA, and his dominance in the early 2000s is still remembered fondly by Lakers fans.
5. LeBron James
LeBron James may not have been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in the traditional sense, but his arrival in 2018 was still one of the most significant moments in recent NBA history. After spending 15 years with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat, LeBron signed a four-year contract with the Lakers in free agency, marking the beginning of the LeBron era in Los Angeles.
LeBron’s impact on the Lakers was immediate. In just his second season with the team, he led the Lakers to the NBA Finals and helped them win the 2020 NBA Championship. LeBron’s leadership, basketball IQ, and ability to elevate his teammates helped bring a title back to L.A. after a 10-year drought. His versatility and ability to excel in every aspect of the game make him one of the greatest players of all time.
While LeBron’s time with the Lakers is still ongoing, his impact on the franchise has already been substantial. He has restored the Lakers to championship contention, and his legacy in Los Angeles will only continue to grow.
4. Anthony Davis
When Anthony Davis was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019, the entire basketball world took notice. The Lakers gave up several valuable assets, including Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and a collection of draft picks, to acquire Davis, one of the best two-way players in the league. Pairing Davis with LeBron James immediately created one of the most lethal duos in the NBA.
Davis’s impact on the Lakers was immediate. In his first season, he helped lead the team to the 2020 NBA Championship, playing an integral role in the team’s defense and offense. Davis’s shot-blocking, rebounding, and ability to score in the post were vital in the Lakers’ success. His versatility as a defender and offensive weapon made him the perfect complement to LeBron, and together, they formed one of the most formidable pairs in the league.
Davis has proven to be the centerpiece the Lakers need for both the present and future. With his skill set, youth, and ability to dominate on both ends of the floor, Davis’s time with the Lakers has the potential to elevate the franchise to even greater heights.
3. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1968 was a game-changing moment for the franchise. Acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for several players, Chamberlain was already a two-time MVP and one of the most dominant players in NBA history. With Chamberlain on board, the Lakers immediately became title contenders, pairing him with Jerry West and Elgin Baylor to create a lethal offensive attack.
Chamberlain’s time with the Lakers was historic. He led the team to the 1972 NBA Championship, helping to break the team’s long title drought. Though Chamberlain was known primarily for his scoring and rebounding, his time with the Lakers also saw him adopt a more team-oriented approach, which ultimately contributed to the Lakers’ success. His size and strength were unmatched, and his presence on the court was a game-changer.
2. Jerry West
Jerry West, often known as “Mr. Clutch,” was one of the most iconic figures in NBA history and had a significant impact on the Los Angeles Lakers both as a player and a front-office executive. While West was a member of the Lakers before he was traded to any other team, his leadership and competitive drive were integral to the franchise’s success in the 1960s and 1970s.
West’s basketball IQ, clutch performances, and scoring ability made him a constant threat on the court, and he led the Lakers to an NBA title in 1972. West’s legacy continues to be remembered, both for his playing career and his contributions as a key figure in shaping the Lakers’ future.
