Los Angeles Lakers: The 12 best trades in franchise history

Best Los Angeles Lakers trades of all time: 5. Landing Wilt Chamberlain

Chamberlain had been a legendary NBA presence in his younger days. He averaged over 30 PPG in each of his first nine years, leading the league seven times, and averaged a record 50.4 PPG in 1961-62, which included his incredible 100-point scoring output. He had also led the league in rebounding seven times.

Wilt was 32 years old when the Lakers acquired him and was no longer quite the same prolific scorer. But he remained one of the league’s best rebounders and basket protectors and could still average over 20 points. LA hoped he could be the missing piece to beat Boston in the Finals.

Alas, not all plans succeed exactly as designed. In Wilt’s first year, LA lost to Boston in 7 games in what proved to be the final NBA season for Lakers nemesis and Chamberlain’s rival Bill Russell.

However, Wilt’s time with the Lakers was still a success. They made the Finals four times in Chamberlain’s five years with the club, and of course finally broke through to win the title in 1972 when he was the Finals MVP. As a Laker he averaged 18 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists per game.

Imhoff, also a veteran center, played four more pretty good seasons, averaging 11.3/9.6 for Philadelphia and 7/6 for Cincinnati.

Clark had just completed his second season with LA, averaging 20 points and 4.4 assists and making the all-star team. He stayed at a high level over his next four seasons with Philly and Baltimore, including a career-best 25 points and 8 assists in 1971-72. Overall in his 10 NBA years his averages were 16.3/4.8.

Chambers played three more years in the league for three different teams, averaging 8.1 PPG. After that he played two more seasons in the ABA.

In hindsight, the Los Angeles Lakers ended up giving up a decent center, a young high-scoring guard and a bench piece for the still-dominant Chamberlain. Advantage, Lakers!