May 27, 2026, 5:03 a.m. PT<\/p>\n
Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n During the Lakers’ 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.<\/p>\n Before he came to the Lakers in 2000, Greg Foster was known to Lakers fans as the backup center for the Utah Jazz<\/a> who was once violently slapped by Shaquille O’Neal. He then spent the 2000-01 season as O’Neal’s backup in Los Angeles, and that year, he averaged two points and 1.8 rebounds in 7.3 minutes a game while helping L.A. win its second straight NBA championship.<\/p>\n Foster played two more seasons before retiring with career averages of 3.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12.2 minutes a game over 13 seasons in the league. He later spent eight seasons as an assistant coach in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a>, Milwaukee Bucks<\/a>, Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers<\/a>.<\/p>\n