Los Angeles Lakers: 4 drafted players that had great careers elsewhere

By Jason Reed | Apr 9, 2020

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 10: Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors reacts to play in front of Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 113-104 Raptor win at Staples Center on November 10, 2019 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Sam Jones

Sam Jones it the lone exception on this list as he was not traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Boston Celtics, so the Lakers do not have to look back knowing that they gave the Celtics one of their most iconic players in franchise history.

However, the Lakers did draft Sam Jones and there is an alternate reality where Jones suited up in the purple and gold, eventually alongside Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. He could have gone done as a Laker legend, not a Celtic legend.

The Lakers drafted Jones in the 1956 NBA Draft with the 30th selection, which was the Lakers’ seventh of the draft. This was the same draft that the Lakers originally drafted Elgin Baylor before selecting him with the first overall pick two years later.

After spurning the NBA, Jones was drafted the next year by the Boston Celtics with the eighth overall pick in the draft. From there, the rest was history with Jones and the Celtics.

The Hall of Fame shooting guard was a key part of Bill Russell’s Celtics, winning 10 NBA Championships while being named an all-star five times. He finished his career averaging 17.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

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