9 Los Angeles Lakers that never played a single minute
By Tyler Watts
3. Chuck Person
Person was the fourth overall pick in 1986 by the Pacers. He quickly became a starter and won Rookie of the Year. The 6’8 forward averaged over 21 points per game by his third season, but Indiana missed the playoffs in three of his first four years.
Person remained a key part of three playoff teams from 1990 to 1992. The Pacers never advanced beyond the first round and traded Person to Minnesota in September of 1992. He averaged 19.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 0.9 steals in 35.4 minutes per game over his six years in Indiana.
The 6’8 forward bounced after that. His playing time and production quickly dropped. Person played for four different teams over the next eight years, but he was part of two others. He never played a second of the Bulls after a 1999 trade. He was quickly waived by signed with the Hornets for the remainder of the season.
Chuck Person spent his final NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He played his final game for the Sonics in May of 2000 but was still owed $1.2 million for the 2000-01 season. Seattle traded him to Los Angeles in a massive four-team deal.
He never played but returned to the Lakers as an assistant coach in 2009 and spent four years on their bench. Person was credited with helping several players improve their shooting, including Kobe Bryant.