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 Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

James Edwards

Unlike the first two players on this list, James Edwards is not a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, although you could absolutely make the case that he was a better player and had a better career than Vlade Divac, but that is neither here nor there.

Edwards was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 46th overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft and wound up only playing 25 games for the Lakers before being traded. Edwards was traded to the Indiana Pacers for Adrian Dantley and Dave Robisch.

The Pacers would be one of many stops that Edwards had in his long NBA career, as he ended up playing for eight different teams in his 19-year career.

Edwards was never an all-star throughout his career, so it might be strange to include him on this list. However, he was an above-average center for many years in the NBA and was a part of three different championship teams, two of which he played a big role in.

Edwards was the starting center for the Bad Boy Pistons during their back-to-back NBA Championship runs and was a minor depth option on the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls.

Edwards was never a top center in the league and is not the most memorable player in league history, but he still finished his career averaging 12.7 points and 5.1 rebounds with 59.7 total win shares.

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