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

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: General Manager Mitch Kupchak of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks Jerry West of the Golden State Warriors after practice as part of 2013 Global Games on October 13, 2013 at MasterCard Center in Beijing, China. 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 2013 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: General Manager Mitch Kupchak of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks Jerry West of the Golden State Warriors after practice as part of 2013 Global Games on October 13, 2013 at MasterCard Center in Beijing, China. 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 2013 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images

5. Vlade Divac at end of his career (2004)

The memories that Lakers fans have of Vlade Divac in the purple and gold are likely from his first go round. Divac was first drafted by Los Angeles in the first round in 1989 and helped the Lakers go to the NBA finals in 1991.

Following that, he turned into one of the Lakers most hated rivals with the Sacramento Kings. That is partly why it was surprising when the team decided to bring him back for one year at the very end of his career.

They signed him to a one year deal in 2004 and he was a shell of himself as a player at that point. He ended up only playing 15 games for the team and did little to make signing him worthwhile.

The best thing Vlade ever did for the Lakers was being traded to the Hornets for the draft rights to future legend Kobe Bryant who turned into one of the best Lakers of all-time and players in the history of the NBA.