Los Angeles Lakers: Creating the all-time one-year starting five
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers have had some of the most historic players in NBA history suit up in the purple and gold. While legends such as Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal and now LeBron James came to LA to make a massive impact, other superstars came to LA and did not last long.
There are some pretty notable names that suited up in the purple and gold for only one season. In fact, we can construct a pretty solid starting five of NBA greats that only appeared for the Los Angeles Lakers in one season.
The Los Angeles Lakers all-time one-year starting five:
PG: Gary Payton (2003-2004)
- Performance with the Los Angeles Lakers:
Outside of Anthony Davis, who we did not include on this list as he is likely going to be on the tea for years to come, Gary Payton has the highest total win shares of any player to play just one season on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Payton signed a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers prior to the 2003-2004 NBA season and was absolutely ring chasing along with another NBA legend that made this team. Unfortunately for Payton, the Lakers would lose in the NBA Finals to the Detroit Pistons and the team was mostly disbanded.
He played really well with the Lakers that season, however, despite being 35 years old. Payton started all 82 games for the Lakers and averaged 14.6 points, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
- Accomplishments outside of the Los Angeles Lakers:
Payton was one of the best point guard of the 90s and was a nine-time all-star, All-NBA and All-Defensive team member. He led the league in steals in 1995 en route to becoming the Defensive Player of the Year.
Payton was nicknamed ‘The Glove’ because of his ability to steal the basketball and he ranks fourth all-time in total steals. He is a Hall of Famer.