Los Angeles Lakers: 10 greatest free agent signings in franchise history

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LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds up the Larry O’Brien trophy after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Los Angeles Lakers have had a number of Hall of Famers don the purple and gold. Here are the 10 greatest free agent signings in the history of the franchise.

The Los Angeles Lakers have won 16 NBA titles in franchise history. They’ve seen many of the greatest players to ever play the game gear up in the Lakers gold uniform. From Kobe Bryant to Magic Johnson, to Shaquille O’Neal, this list goes on and on.

Another exciting NBA off-season is mostly in the books for this year. The Lakers over the years have been a big name destination and have lured the marquee names to play in Los Angeles. This will again be the case next summer when the Lakers front office gears up to make a run at one or more all-star players.

Keeping this in mind, let’s take a look back at the top 10 greatest free agent signings in Los Angeles Lakers history. The first we will take a look at is an All-Time great.

1980’s: Guard Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during a Lakers game at the Forum in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Icon Sportswire) /

Greatest Free Agent Signing All Time – Number 10: Magic Johnson

One of, if not the greatest Laker of all time, Magic Johnson played with Los Angeles from 1979-1990. He changed the way the point guard position was played, as he was the tallest point-guard to ever play, at 6’9″. After 12 seasons with the Lakers, he then retired from the NBA when he was diagnosed with HIV.

After a few seasons of retirement, Magic attempted to make a comeback. The Lakers signed him once again via free agency for the 1995-96 season. Although, it was a short comeback. Magic played only 32 games during that year, starting just nine. He averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds.

After years away from the game, he was nowhere near the player he once was, but he cemented his legacy with the Lakers. Throughout his career, he averaged 19.5 points, 11.2 assists, and 7.2 rebounds. He won a total of five championships with the Lakers and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

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