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

Matt Leaman|
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)
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)
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Los Angeles Lakers: 10 greatest free agent signings in franchise history
PHILADELPHIA, PA – 1980: Jamaal Wilkes #52 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against Darryl Dawkins #53 of the Philadelphia 76ers circa 1980 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1980 NBAE (Photo by Jim Cummins/NBAE via Getty Images)

Greatest Free Agent Signing All Time – Number Three: Jamaal Wilkes

A name many may not know, Jamaal Wilkes had quite a career in Los Angeles. Wilkes attended UCLA during his college career and was selected 11th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 1974 NBA Draft. After playing three seasons with the Warriors, he hit free agency in 1977.

Wilkes winded up joining the likes of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Los Angeles. He went on to win three NBA titles as a Laker, taking home the championship in 1980, 1982, and 1985. Playing alongside two superstars, he was continuously overlooked during these years.

Wilkes was a two-time NBA All-Star as a member of the Lakers and a member of the All-Defensive second team in 1977. His best year was during the 1980-81 season in which he averaged 22.6 points and 5.4 rebounds.

During Wilkes eight seasons as a Laker, he went on to average 18.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. He played 575 career games and scored a total of 10,601 points. Wilkes currently is 10th all-time in Lakers history in points scored.

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