Ranking the Los Angeles Lakers’ best trades with each team, numbers 4-1:
We have reached Mount Rushmore.
4. New Orleans Pelicans
The only trade that the Los Angeles Lakers have made with the New Orleans Pelicans happens to be the fourth-best trade in franchise history, as the Lakers landed Anthony Davis.
This might seem a bit high, especially when it ranks ahead of trades that landed future Hall of Famers, but if Davis continues at his current track, he too will be a Hall of Famer. The Lakers acquired one of the five most talented players in the league and instantly became one of, if not the, best teams in the league.
If Davis walks away after this season then I would probably retroactively lower the trade on this list. However, when it is all said and done, Davis might have multiple championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
This is how good the Lakers’ trade history is. The team trading for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is only the third-best trade on this list.
The Lakers benefitted from Kareem forcing his way out of Milwaukee and wanting to play in a bigger market, either Los Angeles or New York, and the rest is history. Kareem won five championships in LA, was a three-time MVP and a one-time Finals MVP.
2. Charlotte Hornets
You already know the story. The Los Angeles Lakers traded Vlade Divac for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant, who was selected with the 13th overall pick. The Lakers agreed to this trade before the draft and were making their move for Bryant.
The rest is history. Bryant went on to be one of the 10 greatest players of all-time and became the most beloved athlete in LA Sports history. And to think that 12 other teams passed on Bryant, just because he was coming out of high school.
1. Utah Jazz
Gail Goodrich is back in the discussion. Per league rules, the Lakers received draft compensation from the then-New Orleans Jazz for signing veteran free agent, Gail Goodrich. Of this draft compensation was the first-round pick in the 1979 NBA Draft, which was Magic Johnson.
The Lakers received one of the greatest players in league history simply for Goodrich signing with another team. The Lakers essentially did not give up anything and in return got one of the greatest to ever do it.
While Kobe Bryant is arguably the best Laker of all-time, the fact that the Lakers gave up virtually nothing and got Magic Johnson in return makes this the greatest trade in team history.