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Team Profile
Los Angeles Lakers: Five things you need to know
Los Angeles Lakers Team Profile: Legendary franchise reloads for another title run in 2025-26
- The Los Angeles Lakers looking to claim their 18th NBA Championship
- The Lakers Have been named the eight most valuable sports franchise in the world
- They Lakers have had more MVPs (13) than any other franchise
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the premier franchises in the NBA, with nearly eight decades characterised by success, cultural impact and global icons. Widely regarded as one of the most successful franchises in sports history, the Los Angeles Lakers have been praised for their ongoing influence on the world of basketball. Synonymous with legendary players and a relentless pursuit of success, the franchise has built a legacy of winning and constantly competing for titles.
It was sold by the Buss family to California billionaire Mark Walter for more than USD $10B in June 2026.
2024-25 NBA Season Summary
- Record: 50-32
- Finish: 3rd Seed (Eliminated in first round of the playoffs)
- All Star Selections: LeBron James and Anthony Davis
After an impressive 2024-2025 NBA regular season that saw the Lakers finish in the third seed in the Western Conference, an underwhelming showing in the playoffs meant the team would exit in the first round at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. Despite the early postseason disappointment, the offseason brought encouraging news as all-time great Lebron James opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season
2025 off-season Moves:
- Resigned: Centre Jaxon Hayes (1-year, $3.4 million)
- Ins: Centre DeAndre Ayton (2 years, $16.6 million); Forward Jake LaRavia (2 years, $12 million)l and Forward Adou Thiero (36th pick in 2025 NBA Draft)
- Outs: Dorian Finney-Smith (signed a 4-year, $53 million deal with the Houston Rockets)
The Lakers went into the offseason with an emphasis on adding bigs to the roster. When the Mark Williams trade fell through due to a failed physical, the Lakers continued their search for a starting centre. Acquiring former number one overall pick DeAndre Ayton, the Lakers hope to gain paint protection and inside scoring, two elements that were absent from the team last season.
The Laker’s offseason additions fill an evident gap in the roster and have added much needed depth in the forward position after some departures. With these offseason additions and superstar Luka Doncic set to play in his first full season, the Lakers look set to challenge for the title in what could potentially be the King’s last season.
Predicted 2025-26 Lineup
- Point Guard: Luka Doncic
- Shooting Guard: Austin Reaves
- Small Forward: Rui Hachimura
- Power Forward: LeBron James
- Centre: DeAndre Ayton
Australians who have played for the Los Angeles Lakers
- Andrew Bogut: Australia’s first number one overall pick, Andrew Bogut signed with the Lakers in the 2017 season. With NBA Finals glory in his resume, Bogut brought veteran experience to the Lakers over the course of 24 games.
Los Angeles Lakers History
The Lakers' origins trace back to the Midwest, where the Minneapolis Lakers were founded in 1947. Following the merger of the NBL and the BAA in 1949 to form the NBA, the Minneapolis side would go on to win five NBA championships in the next six years spearheaded by Hall of Famer George Mikan.
In 1960, the franchise relocated to Los Angeles, becoming the NBA’s first West Coast Team. The 1960’s served as the birth of one of sports history's biggest rivalries, as the Lakers and Boston Celtics clashed in the Finals on six occasions. Two cornerstones of the Lakers franchise, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West were laying the foundations for the Lakers in this decade, setting the team up for the Wilt Chamberlain-led side to win the championship in 1972.
The 1980’s saw four prominent figures become the catalyst for the franchise’s five NBA Championships in the decade. Kareem Adbul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy and head coach Pat Riley headlined a powerhouse Lakers side that brought a new brand of basketball to the league, captivating fans with their fast paced and flashy playing style labelled “Showtime” basketball.
After a transitional period in the 90s, the franchise re-emerged as a powerhouse when Shaquille O’Neal signed for the Lakers and Kobe Bryant was acquired in a trade on draft night 1996. The duo under the guidance of all time head coach Phil Jackson would deliver the franchises’ second three-peat in the years 2000-2002. Later that decade, after the departure of Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant would lead the Lakers to back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.
The Lakers last championship was in 2020 when Lebron James and Anthony Davis led the franchise to their 17th championship inside the NBA’s Bubble during the pandemic.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers are important?
The Lakers hold an undeniable influence on the culture surrounding basketball. Defined by prominent figures who continue to serve as benchmarks for today’s players, coaches and executives, the Lakers have provided a lasting blueprint for success both on and off the court.
At the forefront of the Laker’s importance was the franchise’s ability to cultivate an image of basketball that reflected the ever present love LA residents hold for the game. In a city fuelled by entertainment and celebrities, the Lakers “showtime” era revolutionised the game of basketball and sent the NBA’s global market soaring. The team’s rivalry with the Boston Celtics not only captivated fans but also helped rescue the league when it was in financial uncertainty.
Producing players such as Elgin Baylor and Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James across decades of basketball, the Lakers franchise has constantly found innovative ways to influence the game of basketball era by era. Their transcending influence is marked in the NBA logo with Lakers legend Jerry West captured dribbling a basketball.
With a unique blend of star power, branding brilliance, and relentless pursuit of victory, the Lakers have preserved the high standards of basketball and provided a benchmark for all franchises to mirror. With 17 NBA championships in their locker, the Lakers represent what it means to win and what it means to compete at the highest level, year after year.
Five Fast Facts
- The Lakers have appeared in the NBA Finals a record 32 times
- They hold the NBA record for the longest winning streak (33 games) set in the 1971-72 season
- The franchise has had 13 players win the NBA MVP award, more than any other team
- The Lakers have 33 players, coaches and contributors inducted in the Naismith Hall of Fame
- GQ Australia has the Lakers as the eighth most valuable sports franchise in the world.
Team Highlights Timeline
- 1947: Minneapolis Lakers founded
- 1949-1954: Win five NBA championships in six years
- 1960: Franchise relocates to Los Angeles
- 1972: Win first championship in Los Angeles
- 1979-1989: "Showtime" era, winning five championships
- 2000-2002: Three-peat led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant
- 2009-2010: Back-to-back championships led by Kobe Bryant
- 2020: Win 17th championship, tying Boston Celtics for most all-time
- 2022: Lakers win the In-Season Tournament in its first edition
The Los Angeles Lakers have established themselves as a cornerstone of the NBA’s growth. Breeding a culture that prioritises success, entertainment and superstar profiles, the Lakers stand as one of the NBA’s most decorated and influential teams.
With winning roots tied to the nation's Midwest region in Minneapolis, the Lakers longevity as a powerhouse in the world of basketball has stemmed from the franchise’s adaptability across eras. From George Mikan in the 1940’s to LeBron James in the 2020’s, the Lakers ethos of excellence have set benchmarks in the NBA that has propelled the league to another level.
In a city where basketball is the beating heart, the franchise’s 17 championships have delivered the city to the pinnacle of basketball fame.
Under the guidance of legendary coaches and players the Lakers represents not only what it takes to win, but what it means to become one of the most successful franchises in sports history.
