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I have been following the Lakers since way back in 1988 when I was 5 years old and could comprehend what basketball was. I really got way more into basketball and basketball card collecting in 1996. My favorite basketball player left the Orlando Magic and signed with the Lakers.
In the last 17 years, the Lakers had 3 MAJOR off seasons where they made significant additions to their team.
Which year do you think they did the best in their additions? I am only listed the main additions since there were several other complimentary players added that are not going to be on the list.
1996 - Lakers traded Vlade Divac to the Charlotte Hornets for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant. Lakers traded Anthony Peeler and George Lynch to the Vancouver Grizzlies to clear cap space. They later signed Shaquille O'Neal away from the Orlando Magic. Even though no buddy knew how good Kobe Bryant would be since he was a 18 year old rookie, I still had to put that on this list. Shaq was in his prime.
2003 - Lakers signed two future Hall of Famers who both took significant paycuts to try to win a Championship. They signed Gary Payton away from the Milwaukee Bucks for $5 million. That same day they signed Karl Malone away from the Utah Jazz for $1 million. At this stage, both players were near the end of their careers, but still put up great numbers the season prior.
2012 - Lakers use their trade exception gained from the Dallas Mavericks in the Lamar Odom salary dump to land Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns. Later they sign Antawn Jamison away from the Cleveland Cavaliers for $1 million. They finish their off season additions by trading Andrew Bynum for Dwight Howard. Nash and Jamison are near the end of their careers, but put up good numbers the season prior. Dwight is in his prime.
In the last 17 years, the Lakers had 3 MAJOR off seasons where they made significant additions to their team.
Which year do you think they did the best in their additions? I am only listed the main additions since there were several other complimentary players added that are not going to be on the list.
1996 - Lakers traded Vlade Divac to the Charlotte Hornets for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant. Lakers traded Anthony Peeler and George Lynch to the Vancouver Grizzlies to clear cap space. They later signed Shaquille O'Neal away from the Orlando Magic. Even though no buddy knew how good Kobe Bryant would be since he was a 18 year old rookie, I still had to put that on this list. Shaq was in his prime.
2003 - Lakers signed two future Hall of Famers who both took significant paycuts to try to win a Championship. They signed Gary Payton away from the Milwaukee Bucks for $5 million. That same day they signed Karl Malone away from the Utah Jazz for $1 million. At this stage, both players were near the end of their careers, but still put up great numbers the season prior.
2012 - Lakers use their trade exception gained from the Dallas Mavericks in the Lamar Odom salary dump to land Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns. Later they sign Antawn Jamison away from the Cleveland Cavaliers for $1 million. They finish their off season additions by trading Andrew Bynum for Dwight Howard. Nash and Jamison are near the end of their careers, but put up good numbers the season prior. Dwight is in his prime.
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