The Los Angeles Lakers franchise has had some of the greatest star players to compete for the franchise throughout history. Purple and Gold has always been an attractive franchise, mainly because it has always been one of the best sports franchises to run of all time and the fact that it is located in sunny California.
Throughout the history of the Lakers, the franchise has possessed some elite talent whether they were in the form of scorers, captains or playmakers. It’s time to continue our streak of top scorers in franchise history, this time focusing on the Los Angeles (Minneapolis) Lakers. The Lakers are considered the greatest professional basketball franchise of all time, considering the fact that they have won the most NBA titles (a tie with the Boston Celtics) with 17. Also, most of the top 10 players of all time are made up of Lakers players, who are An indication of the prestige of this great franchise all along. Here are the greatest scorers in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers.
10. Magic Johnson – 19.5 PPG
(13 seasons, 1980-1991, 1996)
Credit: MPS-USA TODAY Sports
Magic Johnson, the undisputed greatest goalkeeper of all time, has completed every season of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. The star was not only an all-around player, but one of the greatest passers-by and land generals of all time. The Magic, a 5-time NBA champion, has achieved everything in the NBA at the highest level.
But Magic was a capable scorer as well, even if his most important trait was his game-making ability. The Champion was 5 times larger than he was at 6’9 inches, often used his strength and size to punish rival guards at the post and had a powerful shot with a strong hook after the match.
9. Cedric Ceballos – 20.2 PPG
(3 seasons, 1995-1997)
credit: Getty Images
After being ranked 48th overall in 1990 by the Phoenix Suns, Cedric Ceballos completed four seasons with the franchise before moving to the Los Angeles Lakers franchise. Arriving at his new team, Ceballos made his only All-Star team with the Lakers averaging 21.7 PPG and 8.0 RPG.
The following year, Ceballos dropped 21.2 PPG and 6.9 RPG on 53.0% of field shooting. The talented young striker clearly had a knack for picking up buckets, and his first two seasons with the Lakers will be indicative of what the man can do when he has opportunities.
8. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 20.4 PPG
(14 seasons, 1976-1989)
Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Arguably the most dominant and accomplished center of all time, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made his name with the Milwaukee Bucks by winning the NBA Championship but his fame really came with the Los Angeles Lakers. The center had the most unstoppable shot in NBA history and used it to terrorize defenders every year.
Karim won 2 scoring titles with the Bucks in his first 3 NBA seasons, and even if he doesn’t repeat those performances, he’ll be averaging over 20 PPGs for 11 consecutive seasons with the Violet and Gold. The legendary center also helped create one of the greatest teams in Los Angeles with Magic Johnson at his side.
7. George Mikan – 23.1 PPG
(7 seasons, 1949-1954, 1956)
credit: Getty Images
The position was a 6’10 size which was considered the first true star player in the league, and it was only fitting that George Mikan started his career with the Lakers. The dominant big man began his first three seasons of his career by winning three consecutive titles and would follow that up with two back-to-back seasons leading the league in rebounds.
Mikan also won 5 championships in 6 years, using his incredible size and dominance in position to destroy defenders. Even if George had the benefit of playing against smaller players who didn’t have his size, the big guy was still incredibly dominant and should be mentioned among the big players quite often.
6. Anthony Davis – 24.1 PPG
(3 seasons, 2020-2022)
Credit Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Having become one of the most talented players in the NBA with the New Orleans Hornets/Plicians, Anthony Davis was involved in one of the biggest blockbuster deals in recent memory when the Lakers acquired him to pair with LeBron James. Davis helped the Lakers win the championship in his first season, averaging 26.1 PPG in the regular season.
Davis is a unique talent because of his dominant size and goalkeeper skills, making him one of the most complete offensive players we’ve seen. While players like Tim Duncan and Karl Malone have more power in attacking, it’s hard to deny that Davis has a more complete offensive game than both.
5. Kobe Bryant – 25.0 PPG
(20 seasons, 1997-2016)
Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Quite possibly the greatest Laker ever and one of the best goalkeepers of all time, Kobe Bryant accomplished everything in his basketball game while wearing the purple and gold jersey. Bryant was a dominant attacking player, and he had every move and counter move in the book. Simply put, there was no one way to contain Bryant when he started.
Bryant dropped the second-highest single-game aggregate score with 81, and also won two scoring titles with the Lakers. Kobe made no apologies for wanting to take every shot on the field, and the guy taking matters into his own hands was in the clutch. Kobe is arguably the greatest goalscorer of all time alongside Michael Jordan, and is also the greatest scoring talent in Lakers history.
4. LeBron James – 27.0 PPG
(4 seasons, 2019-2022)
Credit: Jerome Meron – USA Today Sports
Known as the legend of the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James joined the Lakers in 2019 hoping to end his career with the greatest franchise ever. Player to pass first, there’s no denying that The King is also an unstoppable offensive player.
With his impressive size and athletic life, James is unstoppable when he attacks the edge and has also developed a matching outerwear jacket. Even in his later years, James was still an unstoppable attacking presence on the ground and nearly won his second scoring title at the age of 37 – something that could have been magical.
3. Jerry West – 27.030 PPG
(14 seasons, 1961-1974)
Credit: SI.com
Jerry West is the motto of the NBA because he was one of the most controlling guards of all time. For some reason, West always seems to be disrespected in the all-time rankings as he has a strong case for being the greatest goalkeeper ever behind Michael and Kobe. The elite shooter and lane West has 14 All-Star games and a scoring title.
Jerry West fired his career with 47.4% from the field and 81.4% from the free throw line, solid numbers for an outside shooter in the 1960s and 1970s. Had West played today, he would have been a top scorer, but he still ranks third in Lakers history in terms of scoring.
2. Shaquille O’Neal – 27.033 PPG
(8 seasons, 1997-2004)
Shaquille O’Neal must have been the most dominant physical specimen since Wilt Chamberlain because there was no answer to him during his days with the Los Angeles Lakers. Purple and Gold took over the star position and would go on to win 3 championships in 4 finals between 2000-2004. Together with Kobe Bryant, Shaq created the dynasty in Los Angeles.
O’Neill didn’t make the game look pretty, but it certainly worked. He would run towards the post, call the ball, and force the ball into the basket. Armed with hooks on the sides and incredibly aggressive, Shaq was not only bigger than defenders, but more hungry for control. Only one man is ahead of Shaq as Los Angeles’ all-time leading scorer, Elgin Baylor.
1. Elgin Baylor – 27.4 PPG
(14 seasons, 1959-1972)
Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
One of the greatest players in NBA history to never win a ring, Elgin Baylor was incredibly dominant as a member of the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers because he had the most physical and skill set in his position. This is why Baylor ranks 3rd ever in the highest average PPG.
Elgin averaged over 24 PPGs for 11 seasons and had seasons to post 38.3 PPG, 34.8 PPG and 34.0 PPG with the Lakers. The little super striker had almost all the offensive skills in the book, and was able to come out in the half and also in transition. Baylor probably holds the highest average PPG in Lakers history because there may be no other player who can put up more than 38 PPGs in a single season.
Most points in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers
Here are the 10 players with the most points in LA Lakers history:
1 – Kobe Bryant – 33643
2. Jerry West – 25192
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 24,176
4- Elgin Baylor – 23149
5. Magic Johnson – 17707
6. James Worthy – 16320
7- Shaquille O’Neal – 13895
8. Jill Goodrich – 13044
9- Byron Scott – 12780
10- Jamal Wilkes – 10601