10 Greatest NBA Players Who Never Played For The Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers franchise is arguably the most impressive and dominant NBA franchise of all time. They have 17 total NBA Championships, equalling the Boston Celtics record, and a host of some of the best players of all time. In fact, the storied Los Angeles Lakers franchise might have had 6 of the top 10 greatest NBA players play for them, including Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and LeBron James. 

That is simply incredible to believe because the Lakers are always attracting top stars to go play for them. Even today, when the Lakers are standing with a putrid 3-10 record, they have All-Star talent in the form of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook. No matter what, the Purple and Gold always seem to attract top-tier talent and that will likely never change. But even when they have had some of the all-time greats play for them, there have been some other top stars who never played for the Lakers, rather unfortunately.

By narrowing down the list of the 10 greatest players who never played for the Lakers, we get to go back and revisit the historical greats of the NBA. These players will be chosen because they fit the Lakers’ style and prestige, and that is why some other all-time great players including Moses Malone, Dirk Nowitzki, and David Robinson were not mentioned. There is something special about wearing the Purple and Gold jerseys in the famous Staples Center, and a certain playing style must be there, but here is the list of the players that never managed to play in Los Angeles.

10. Julius Erving

Championships: 1

Players Stats: 22.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG

Honors: 1980-1981 MVP, 11x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Team Selection, Hall of Fame

Dr. J is one of the greatest dunkers ever, and one of the most popular sports figures to ever grace the NBA floor. Erving was the original highlight reel, who also happened to have a dominant career that included 11 All-Star teams and an MVP Award. Every old head raves about Dr. J because his impact brought unlimited love for basketball.

Erving was not only a superstar in the NBA but also in the ABA, where he won another 3 MVPs and 2 championships. Unfortunately for Lakers fans, Erving never suited up for the franchise. Instead, he became an all-time great player for the Philadelphia 76ers and captivated fans with his style and grace. In terms of being a perfect fit, Erving would have been the most popular player to play for the Lakers after Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson. Seeing Dr. J fly above the rim and make headlines during the late 1970s and 1980s would have been perfect for the Lakers franchise.

9. Charles Barkley

Championships: 0

Players Stats: 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Honors: 1992-1993 MVP, 11x All-Star, 11x All-NBA Team Selection, 1986-1987 Rebounding Champion, Hall of Fame

Charles Barkley was a league MVP and the man behind the Phoenix Suns making the NBA Finals in 1993. Thanks to Michael Jordan, Barkley could not cap off a perfect season but still etched his name as one of the best post-stars ever. “Sir Charles” was a bowling pin when he grabbed offensive rebounds, putting back shots with ease and doing the same on the other end.

As a competitor with a limitless motor, Barkley overcame his 6’6” height limit to dominate the paint like very few. Charles retired without an NBA championship to his name, but playing for the Lakers might have given him a better shot to do so. The power forward came closest in 1993 but fell victim to Michael Jordan and the Bulls. By playing for the Lakers, he would have had other superstar players alongside him and probably would have won it all more than once.

8. Allen Iverson

Championships: 0

Players Stats: 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Honors: 2000-2001 MVP, 11x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Team Selection, 8x All-Defensive Team Selection, 4x Scoring Champion, 3x Steals Champion, 1996-1997 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame

The greatest little man ever, Allen Iverson would rank in the top 10 if he was a few inches taller. His skill and tenacity were so great, that “The Answer” carried a very average Philadelphia 76ers team to the NBA Finals in 2001 against a rampant dynasty led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. To add to that, Iverson managed to win Game 1 against the dynasty Lakers by dropping 48 points in 52 minutes.

Allen Iverson changed the game with his swagger and on-court toughness and will be honored among the top 25 stars ever. Imagine if Iverson had played for the Lakers? He would have gone down as one of the best ever for sure because of the talent he would have had around him. Give Allen Iverson other superstar players in his prime and he absolutely retires with NBA championships to his name. Seeing Iverson crossover players and scoring 30-40 points on a consistent basis while wearing a Lakers jersey would have been one sight to behold.

7. Kevin Garnett

Championships: 1

Players Stats: 17.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.4 BPG

Honors: 2003-2004 MVP, 15x All-Star, 9x All-NBA Team Selection, 12x All-Defensive Team Selection, 2007-2008 Defensive Player of the Year, 4x Rebounding Champion, Hall of Fame

Kevin Garnett had the most intensity of any power forward ever and was one of the most competitive forces of all time. While many remember KG for his title-winning stint with the Boston Celtics as their defensive stalwart, he was the MVP of the league at one point as an unbelievable player for the Minnesota Timberwolves. “The Big Ticket” could pass, defend, rebound, and score at an elite level which makes him a top-five power forward ever.

He must be recognized as a top-20 player of all time because, in terms of impact, Garnett got it done year after year at a consistent level. Garnett’s dedication to the game and competitiveness fits the Lakers’ bill because they have had elite competitors year after year. We have yet to see a power forward go after it game after game as KG did, and having The Big Ticket in a Lakers jersey would have brought more championships to the franchise.

6. Dwyane Wade

Championships: 3

Players Stats: 22.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Honors: 2005-2006 Finals MVP, 13x All-Star, 8x All-NBA Team Selection, 3x All-Defensive Team Selection, 2008-2009 Scoring Champion

Dwyane Wade had an illustrious career, winning 3 NBA titles and making a whopping 13 All-Star teams. In his prime, a young Wade, known as “Flash,” was an unbelievably athletic and talented scorer who led the Miami Heat to an NBA title in 2006. The legendary shooting guard was also very fortunate to play with LeBron James, a man who helped add 2 more championship rings to Wade’s fingers.

As an unstoppable slasher and the greatest shot-blocking guard ever, Dwyane Wade is clearly a top-30 talent as with the case of other players on this list. Other than Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and possibly Jerry West, can we name a better shooting guard of all time? Wade would have brought similar dominance that Kobe Bryant brought to the Lakers and there is no doubt a young Wade would have brought championships to the franchise. Of course, his exciting style of play and slashing ability would have been on television for the Lakers and everyone to see.

5. Hakeem Olajuwon

Championships: 2

Players Stats: 21.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 3.1 BPG

Honors: 2x Finals MVP, 1993-1994 MVP, 12x All-Star, 12x All-NBA Team Selection, 9x All-Defensive Team Selection, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, 2x Rebounding Champion, 3x Blocks Champion, Hall of Fame

Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon took advantage of Michael Jordan’s absence in 1994 and 1995, winning two straight titles and Finals MVPs. Hakeem was so dominant, that he is often regarded as one of the most unstoppable players of his time. Hakeem was also a special defensive player, making 9 All-Defensive Teams and winning the Defensive Player of the Year twice.

The Lakers are known for their lineage of all-time great centers, and Hakeem is one of them. The Nigerian-born superstar had the best post-moves of all time and his ability to score inside and dominate the defensive end will go down in history. Hakeem fits right into the mix with the likes of George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal as the stars of the Lakers franchise.

4. Bill Russell

Championships: 11

Players Stats: 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG

Honors: 5x MVP, 12x All-Star, 11x All-NBA Team Selection, 1968 All-Defensive Team Selection, 4x Rebounding Champion, Hall of Fame

The greatest winner of all time, Russell won 11 rings as part of a Boston Celtics dynasty. That means he has 5 more than Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and more than every NBA franchise throughout history except the Lakers and Celtics. Russell was arguably the best post defender ever, using his athleticism to haul rebounds and start the fast break. Not to mention, the legendary Celtics star was an elite leader.

As a team player and a clear championship winner, Russell is one-of-a-kind. Beyond his exceptional off-court endeavors, the big man was a winner of the highest order. He knew how to rebound, defend, block shots, and impact the paint. Again, the Lakers have a mix of all-time great bigs and Bill Russell fits right in with them at the very top. Besides Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, there is no doubt Bill would have been the greatest center to ever play for the Lakers.

3. Larry Bird

Championships: 3

Players Stats: 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Honors: 2x Finals MVP, 3x MVP, 12x All-Star, 10x All-NBA Team Selection, 3x All-Defensive Team Selection, 1979-1980 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame

Larry Bird will eternally be considered one of the top-2 small forwards ever because the Boston Celtics legend accomplished everything in the game. During the 1980s, Bird was the face of the league along with Magic Johnson and won 3 MVPs with 3 NBA championships. As a clutch scorer, competitor, and all-around superstar, only a mix of very few players can possibly usurp what Bird brought to the game.

Sure, Bird was an “enemy” of the Lakers because he competed against Magic’s Lakers every year. But if Larry was a Laker, it would have changed life for the franchise even more considering how dominant he was in the 1980s. Bird wasn’t the flashiest star by any means, but his shooting and competitiveness would have been exactly what makes the Lakers franchise so special. It is highly unlikely that Lakers fans would ever want to replace Magic Johnson with Larry Bird, but Bird would have still led the charge in LA during the 1980s had roles been reversed.

2. Tim Duncan

Championships: 5

Players Stats: 19.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.7, 2.2 BPG

Honors: 3x Finals MVP, 2x MVP, 15x All-Star, 15x All-NBA Team Selection, 15x All-Defensive Team Selection, 1997-1998 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame

In terms of accolades, Duncan can probably make an argument for a top-five player ever. He won everything there is to win on an individual level and a team level and was the best player on the Spurs since he entered the league in his rookie season. Hardly any other big man had Duncan’s I.Q, and he can run an offense and dominate the game defensively single-handedly.

As the best power forward ever with 5 rings and a track record of running a dynasty in San Antonio, “The Big Fundamental” would have been a player that the Lakers franchise would have built around. Beyond basketball IQ and elite fundamentals, Duncan was a winner. He knew how to win games, dominate the paint, and bring championships to a franchise. The Lakers had some strong power forwards in their history, but the best they ever had were Vern Mikkelsen and Pau Gasol. No doubt, Duncan was on an entirely different level from those players.

1. Michael Jordan

Championships: 6

Players Stats: 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Honors: 6x Finals MVP, 5x MVP, 14x All-Star, 11x All-NBA Team Selection, 9x All-Defensive Team Selection, 1987-1988 Defensive Player of the Year, 10x Scoring Champion, 3x Steals Champion, 1984-1985 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame

We have seen many great players in NBA history, but not a single one was greater than Michael Jordan. He won 6 NBA titles, 6 Finals MVPs, 10 scoring titles, and had a dominant 11-year span that will never be repeated by any player. Michael dominated all competition during the 1990s and by his second season, fans and media were in awe of what the young man was doing.

Jordan was not only the best scorer ever but also the most dominant perimeter guard, owning all aspects of the NBA game. 6-0 in the Finals with 6 Finals MVPs means perfection, something Jordan brought to the NBA floor every game. Lakers fans were lucky to have Kobe Bean Bryant, who was as close to Michael as anyone could come. Bryant delivered 5 rings, but Jordan would have brought 6. Mike in a Lakers jersey would have been legendary and the best they could have gotten but again, Lakers fans would never want to replace Bryant for anyone, even the GOAT. 

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