Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.
As the Lakers approach their 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.
In 2014, the Lakers were starting a gradual rebuilding process after Kobe Bryant had been struck by an Achilles tear and a lateral tibial plateau fracture in his left knee. They needed to start stockpiling viable young talent, and on draft day 2014, they traded for the rights to Jordan Clarkson, a guard who had been taken in the second round by the Washington Wizards.
Clarkson spent much of the first half of his rookie season in the NBA Developmental League (now known as the G League). But starting in late January, he got significant playing time in the NBA, and it paid off. He became a regular starter for the rest of the season and ended up averaging 11.9 points and 3.5 assists in 25 minutes a game for the year, and he was named to the All-Rookie first team.
The 6-foot-3 guard ended up spending three seasons and change with Los Angeles, and he put up 14.3 points a game during that time. Midway through the 2017-18 campaign, he was traded with big man Larry Nance Jr. to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Channing Frye, Isaiah Thomas and a 2018 first-round draft pick.
He continued to raise his game after leaving L.A. As a member of the Utah Jazz, Clarkson was named the 2020-21 Sixth Man of the Year, and two seasons later, he averaged a career-high 20.8 points per game.
This season, he will suit up for a New York Knicks team that has a special opportunity to reach the NBA Finals and possibly even bring home their first NBA championship since 1973.