Top 10 Best Los Angeles Lakers Players of All Time

When you think of the Los Angeles Lakers, greatness comes to mind. Legendary players who brought that electrifying energy to the court, iconic purple and gold jerseys, and a whole lot of championship banners hanging in the rafters. The Lakers franchise has built an incredible legacy with some of the best basketball players to ever step on hardwood.

But who are the absolute best of the best? Who made the biggest impact? Who delivered those moments that still give you goosebumps when you see old highlights? It's hard to narrow it down, right? There have been so many incredible players to wear those iconic jerseys.

The Top Ten

  1. Kobe Bryant

    Kobe Bryant (1978-2020) was an American professional basketball player who played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He won five NBA championships with the Lakers and retired in 2016 as the franchise's all-time leading scorer.... read more

    Kobe is the most talented Laker ever by far. When I think of the greatest Laker, the first thing that comes to mind is the skill set. Kobe has the greatest footwork in NBA history. His post play and fadeaways are unmatched at the SG position since Jordan.

    Even in his mid-thirties, with arthritis, Kobe constantly evolves his game and remains a top scorer in the league. Most players dwindle after they lose their freakish athleticism, but not Kobe. In fact, I doubt anyone can name a player who remained top 5 in scoring by their mid-30s. Factor in Kobe's playoff games, and you'll see he has more miles on him than any player right now but still remains on top based on pure skill.

  2. Magic Johnson

    Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association for 13 seasons. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.

    Outside of being the All-Star game MVP despite having HIV, outside of his miracle shots, having a triple-double at halftime, outside of getting those rebounds, outside of making no-look passes, outside of being one of the 50 Greatest, outside of winning championships, outside of being at least one of the 20 greatest, he was the greatest ever.

    Look at his accomplishments and compare that to Michael. The only one to have the Finals MVP as a rookie. Don't see it? I hope you are understanding me, really.

    The all-time leader in assists per game could also be the best NBA player of all time because of his ability to score, pass, and rebound. So, yes, he is one of the greatest all-around NBA players ever.

    I'd like to see how Kobe Bryant would go up against Larry Bird, Michael Jordan in his prime, Julius Erving, and Charles Barkley. That's why Kobe isn't top three.

  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American retired professional basketball player who played 20 seasons in the National Basketball Association for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points, a record he held from 1989 until it was surpassed in 2023... read more

    Kareem was consistently the top center in the league during an era where there were many great centers. For that matter, he was the best player. He was a dominant player until age 39 when Pat Riley changed the offense to be more Magic Johnson/James Worthy oriented (not complaining, as it was the reason for titles in 1987 and 1988).

    At age 42, he also poured in 26 points in game 3 of the Finals to keep the Lakers in the game. The greatest Laker and greatest player (sorry MJ) ever.

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is not only the #1 Laker, but he is also the #1 NBA player of all time. He has 6 MVPs, 6 championships (5 with LA), and more points than any other Laker or player in the NBA. He always stayed in great shape, with no real injuries that put him out for the season, unlike Kobe or Magic. The "sky hook" was the single most unstoppable weapon in sports history.

  4. Shaquille O'Neal

    Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, known widely as Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player. He currently works as a sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. Renowned for his dominant presence on the court and his charismatic, approachable personality, O'Neal remains one of the... read more

    Some mention Kareem here. I mention Shaq here. Two, three, four, five feet into the paint, he is pretty unstoppable. He pretty much does everything a center should do: rebound, block shots, etc. His problem is his jumper and shooting free throws, but don't centers give you that? You already signed shooters in Horry, Kobe, Fox, and Fisher. Only some are shooting centers like Dirk and JJ Hickson. Shaq is not one of them.

    Shaq is totally better than Kobe Bryant. Bryant just touches the ball and gets it in. He's only good at shooting. Well, Shaq averages better than Kobe Bryant and he gets the most rebounds. Look at his body. He's 136 kg and 216 cm. Kobe doesn't have 2 meters.

  5. Wilt Chamberlain

    Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American basketball player. He was born on August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia and died on October 12, 1999, in Los Angeles due to heart failure. He was 63 years old at the time of his death.... read more

    Rest in peace to him. He scored more 50-point games than MJ and he was more than a scorer. People thought he was a ball hog, and then he said he was going to lead the league in assists one year. He did.

    He was a shot blocker and he got rebounds for the teams he played for and was a part of that 33-game win streak. Once again, rest in peace.

    He changed the game literally overnight. I dare you to Google this guy. He was a true freak, and the NBA was not ready for him yet. Shortly before his death, he completed a 26-mile marathon while in his 50s.

    100 points in a game of pro NBA players. What more can I say?

  6. Jerry West

    Jerry Alan West was an American basketball player known for his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. He spent his entire professional career playing for the Lakers in the National Basketball Association. West is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history.

    Sorry, but all I have to say is this: he won MVP for the finals on the losing team and brought his single All-Star team to 9 championships against an OP Celtics team. PERIOD.

    Other than his playing, what he did when he was a GM is one of the greatest moves of all time. Bringing Shaq and Kobe for 3 rings and winning 1 of his own, he brought 25% of the Lakers' rings to LA. Just look at the NBA logo. GREATEST ALL-TIME LAKER AND PLAYER.

    I'm not even a Lakers fan, and The Logo earned my respect. I want to see Kobe make a full-court shot in the last seconds of the Finals! I want to see Kobe lead the league in assists and make it to the Finals 9 times. That's why Jerry West should be higher than Kobe.

  7. Elgin Baylor

    Elgin Gay Baylor (September 16, 1934 to March 22, 2021) was an American professional basketball player, coach, and executive. He played 14 seasons as a forward in the NBA, beginning with the Minneapolis Lakers and continuing with the Los Angeles Lakers. Baylor earned 11 All-Star selections, 10 All-NBA... read more

    He scored 71 points in a game once, the second-highest scoring record for the Lakers. He was also a good defender and rebounder.

    Elgin Baylor is the best from this list, period. He made the Los Angeles Lakers what they are today!

    Elgin Baylor was a very good player alongside Jerry West. I hope that he rests in peace.

  8. James Worthy

    James Ager Worthy is an American sports commentator, television host, analyst, and former professional basketball player. He played his entire NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, helping them win three championships in the 1980s. Worthy was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame... read more

    He dunked like the Statue of Liberty. He was also a Finals MVP and a number one draft pick. The Lakers would not have 16 championships if they had not drafted him.

  9. LeBron James

    LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Over his career, LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Lakers. He has won four NBA championships.

    Really good. He was on the Cavaliers before, but I really like him. He's so good. He's the oldest player still playing basketball, and he's also still very good. Yeah, and I really like him.

    Widely considered the third-best player in the NBA.

    He should be number one, not only for the Lakers but of all time.

  10. George Mikan

    George Lawrence Mikan Jr., nicknamed Mr. Basketball, was an American professional basketball player. He played for the Chicago American Gears in the National Basketball League before joining the Minneapolis Lakers. Mikan became a dominant center during the 1940s and 1950s and was instrumental in popularizing... read more

    George Mikan utterly changed the way "big men" played the center position. Top 5, for sure. Rating Mikan as #11 is a result of people thinking in the short term. My top 5: Magic, Kareem, Jerry West, Kobe, George Mikan.

    George Mikan was one of the NBA's first big stars, and the Lakers should be glad to have him as part of their history. George Mikan led the Lakers to four championships out of five seasons.

    He was a great passer and post player. Rest in peace, he passed away about 13 or 14 years ago. The first Lakers and NBA star.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Christian Wood

  12. ?

    Austin Reaves

    13. The Contenders

  13. Derek Fisher

    He arrived in LA on a team with 2 legendary stars, Shaq and Kobe Bryant. Even as a reserve, he contributed to the success of 3 NBA Titles, and the 0.4 shot would eventually be his hallmark moment. It's Joey's world.

    My favorite player of all time. Widely underappreciated and undervalued. Best clutch player of all time.

    Greatest player ever and he's not acknowledged.

  14. Pau Gasol

    Pau Gasol Sáez is a retired Spanish professional basketball player. He played 18 seasons in the NBA for the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, and Milwaukee Bucks. He concluded his career with FC Barcelona in 2021 and was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2025... read more

    One of the most dominant big men to ever play for the Lakers.

    I guess he was more dominant than Lamar Odom.

    Pau Gasol was an amazing defender. He was an amazing Laker, and I loved seeing him play.

  15. Byron Scott

    People forget that Byron Scott was the leading scorer for the Lakers during the 1987-88 championship season. He averaged 21 points a game, which was more than Magic, Worthy, or Kareem!

    Kobe's the best, but Byron is my favorite Laker of all time.

  16. Karl Malone

    Karl Anthony Malone is an American retired professional basketball player. Nicknamed "The Mailman," Malone played the power forward position and spent his first 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association with the Utah Jazz. He formed a formidable duo with teammate John Stockton, and together they... read more

  17. Steve Nash

    Stephen John Nash is a Canadian retired professional basketball player who played 18 seasons in the NBA. He was an eight‑time All‑Star and a two‑time league MVP, winning the award in both 2005 and 2006. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.

  18. Anthony Davis

    Anthony Marshon Davis Jr. (born March 11, 1993) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA. He was traded during the 2024-25 season, on February 2, 2025, from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Mavericks in a blockbuster midseason deal involving Luka... read more

  19. Robert Horry

    Robert Keith Horry is an American former professional basketball player and a current sports commentator. He earned the nickname Big Shot Bob for making critical game-winning shots during the NBA playoffs. Over his career, he won seven NBA championships with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and... read more

    Robert Horry was the most humble player the Laker organization had ever seen. The man did his job and went on with his day, and most of the time he was coming off the bench! I grew up watching Robert play and saw plenty of game-changing plays and buzzer beaters he made to win games. He will definitely go down in my mind as one of the greatest Lakers of all time!

    So clutch, he absolutely needs to be in the top 10.

  20. Danny Green

    Daniel Richard Green Jr. is an American retired professional basketball player. Over his 15-year NBA career, he played for six different teams. Green won three NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, the Toronto Raptors in 2019, and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

  21. A.C. Green

  22. Alex Caruso

  23. Michael Cooper

    Much like Magic, the Showtime Lakers don't win without Coop. Number 16? Behind Steve Nash? No way! A threat and a team player on both sides of the ball. A three-position spark plug. Larry Bird once stated when he worked out in the summer, he thought of Michael Cooper. Enough said!

    Behind Nash as a Laker? Behind Malone as a Laker? What exactly did those two do for the Lakers?

  24. Rajon Rondo

    Rajon Pierre Rondo is an American former professional basketball player who last played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season. He won two NBA championships, one with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and another with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Rondo announced his retirement on April 2, 2024, after a career... read more

  25. Gail Goodrich

  26. DeMarcus Cousins

    DeMarcus Amir Cousins is an American professional basketball player. He played in the NBA for several teams, including the Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, and Los Angeles Lakers. As of 2025, Cousins has played internationally and is no longer active in the NBA.

  27. Dennis Rodman

    Dennis Keith Rodman is a retired American professional basketball player. He played for several NBA teams, including the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks.

    Rodman was renowned for his rebounding ability and defensive prowess. He won five... read more

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