PF: Karl Malone (2003-2004)
- Performance with the Los Angeles Lakers:
Karl Malone was the other NBA legend alongside Gary Payton that signed with the Los Angeles Lakers looking to win his first championship. Like Payton, Malone only lasted one year in the Lakers, although he was not traded and instead retired.
Marlone did not have the kind of productive season for the Lakers that Payton did. A knee injury kept Malone out for half of the season and in the 42 games played Malone averaged just 13.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Solid, but not Karl Malone numbers.
Malone started all 21 games for the Lakers in the playoffs and had more of the same role, averaging 11.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
- Accomplishments outside of the Los Angeles Lakers:
Karl Malone is a Hall of Famer and is one of the greatest power forwards of all-time. Malone is second in all-time scoring and was a staple of perhaps the best duo to never win the NBA Title alongside John Stockton.
Malone averaged over 20 points in every single season of his career outside of his one year in Los Angeles and his rookie season and even averaged over 30 in the 1989-1990 season. All in all, Malone finished his career averaging 25.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
He is a 14-time all-star, four-time All-Defensive player, 14-time All-NBA player and two-time MVP. He is one of six players all-time to have 10 All-NBA First Team selections with two or more MVPs.