Ranking 24 worst Lakers starters of the Kobe Bryant era
By Tyler Watts
9. Lindsey Hunter
Hunter was over 30 years old and had played eight seasons in the NBA before arriving in Los Angeles. He was the tenth overall selection in the 1993 draft and quickly became the Pistons starting point guard. Hunter had reached the postseason in five of his first eight years, but he was starting to decline. The Lakers gave up reserve big man Greg Foster for the 6’2 guard in 2001.
Hunter lasted just one year in Los Angeles. He had not played fewer than 22 minutes per game at that point but averaged just 19.7 a night with the Lakers.
His production dropped off mightily too. Hunter averaged 5.8 points and 1.6 assists while shooting 38.2 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from the foul line. Los Angeles won the championship, but the 6’2 guard played just 7.3 minutes each night and was mostly an afterthought in the postseason rotation.
Lindsey Hunter was traded to the Raptors in 2002 as part of a four-player deal and played eight more years after leaving the Lakers. The 6’2 guard was primarily known for his defensive intensity and even guarded Kobe Bryant as the Pistons upset the Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals. It was Hunter’s second and final championship.
Lindsey Hunter struggled mightily with the Los Angeles Lakers, but there are no regrets. Kobe and company walked away with a championship, and the franchise quickly moved on.