Full History Of Los Angeles Lakers In Timeline From 1946

1946: Detroit Gems Founded

In 1946, the Detroit Gems were founded and began playing in the 1946-47 season.

1946: Franchise Began as Detroit Gems

In 1946, the Los Angeles Lakers franchise originated as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League (NBL).

1947: Selection of George Mikan

In 1947, the Lakers, with the worst record in the NBL, selected George Mikan in the Professional Basketball League of America dispersal draft. Mikan led the team to a 43-17 record and the NBL championship.

1947: Home games at the Minneapolis Auditorium and the Minneapolis Armory

In 1947, the Los Angeles Lakers, while still in Minneapolis, played their home games at the Minneapolis Auditorium and the Minneapolis Armory.

1948: Move to BAA

In 1948, the Lakers moved from the NBL to the Basketball Association of America (BAA). George Mikan averaged 28.3 points per game.

1948: NBL Championship

In 1948, the Minneapolis Lakers won the NBL championship, marking an early success for the relocated franchise.

1949: Kings and Lakers Playoff History

As of 2002, the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers had faced each other in the playoffs nine times since 1949.

1949: First BAA/NBA Championship

In 1949, John Kundla coached the team in Minneapolis when they won their first BAA/NBA championship.

1949: BAA Championship Win

In 1949, the Lakers won the BAA championship, defeating the Washington Capitols. Following the season, the BAA and NBL merged to form the NBA.

1950: Third Straight Professional Championship

In 1950, the Lakers improved their record to 51–17 and won their third straight professional championship in the newly formed NBA. George Mikan won his third straight scoring title at 28.4 points per game.

1951: Division Title

During the 1951–52 season, the Lakers won 40 games, finishing second in their division.

1952: NBA Finals Win Against Knicks

In 1952, the Lakers won 40 games and faced the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, which they won in seven games.

1953: NBA Championship Win

In 1953, George Mikan led the NBA in rebounding, and was named MVP of the 1953 NBA All-Star Game. After defeating the Fort Wayne Pistons in the Western playoffs, the Lakers defeated the New York Knicks to win their second straight championship.

1954: Mikan's Retirement

Following George Mikan's retirement in the 1954 off-season, the Lakers struggled but still managed to win 40 games.

1954: Max Winter Sells Share to Mikan

In 1954, General manager Max Winter sold his share of the Detroit Gems to Mikan.

1954: Fifth BAA/NBA Championship

In 1954, John Kundla coached the team in Minneapolis when they won their fifth BAA/NBA championship.

1955: Mikan's Return

George Mikan came back for the last half of the 1955–56 season, but struggled and retired for good after the season.

1956: Berger Buys Mikan's Share

In 1956, Berger bought Mikan's share of the Detroit Gems giving him a controlling interest.

1956: Conference Finals Advance

In 1956, led by Clyde Lovellette, the Lakers advanced to the Conference Finals.

1957: Lakers Put Up For Sale

In 1957, after Mikan retired, attendance plummeted and the team lost money for several seasons, leading the ownership group to put the Detroit Gems up for sale.

1957: Worst Season in Team History

In 1957, the Lakers had one of the worst seasons in team history, winning a league-low 19 games. George Mikan was hired and fired as head coach during the season.

1958: Short Becomes Majority Owner

In 1958, Bob Short had become 80% owner of the Detroit Gems by buying out his partners, but the team was floundering.

1958: Elgin Baylor selected first overall

In 1958, Elgin Baylor was selected as the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.

1958: Draft of Elgin Baylor

In 1958, the Lakers earned the top pick in the NBA draft and selected Elgin Baylor.

1959: Baylor's All-Star Game Co-MVP

In 1959, Elgin Baylor was named NBA Rookie of the Year and co-MVP of the NBA All-Star Game. The Lakers returned to the NBA Finals but were swept by the Celtics.

1959: Lakers Financial Struggles

In 1959, the Detroit Gems faced financial struggles, losing $60,000 in the first half of the 1959-60 season alone.

1959: First Finals Meeting Between Lakers and Celtics

In 1959, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics met in the NBA Finals for the first time, marking the beginning of their historic rivalry.

January 18, 1960: Plane Crash-Landing

On January 18, 1960, the Lakers' plane crash-landed in a cornfield due to snowstorms during a trip to St. Louis. No one was hurt.

1960: Relocation to Los Angeles

Before the 1960-61 season, the Lakers relocated to Los Angeles due to financial struggles in Minneapolis.

1960: Home games at the Minneapolis Auditorium and the Minneapolis Armory

Until 1960, the Los Angeles Lakers, while still in Minneapolis, played their home games at the Minneapolis Auditorium and the Minneapolis Armory.

1961: Improvement to 54-26

In 1961, the Lakers improved to 54-26, behind Baylor and West, and made the finals.

1962: Loss in NBA Finals

In 1962, Los Angeles won 53 games, behind Baylor and West, but lost in the NBA Finals in six games to the Celtics.

1964: Loss in the First Round

In 1964, the team fell to 42–38 and lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs to the Hawks.

November 21, 1965: Chick Hearn begins broadcasting streak

On November 21, 1965, Chick Hearn began his streak of broadcasting 3,338 consecutive Lakers games.

1965: Cooke Purchases the Lakers

In 1965, Jack Kent Cooke, owner and publisher of the Washington Redskins, bought the Lakers from Bob Short for a then-league record amount of $5.175 million, paid in cash.

1966: Finals Loss to Boston

In 1966, Los Angeles lost in the NBA finals to Boston in seven games again, this time by two points.

1967: Construction of The Forum

In 1967, Jack Kent Cooke personally financed the construction of The Forum at a cost of $16.5 million.

1967: Lakers and Warriors Meet in the Postseason

In 1967, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors started to develop a rivalry, meeting six times in the postseason between 1967 and 1991.

1967: Lakers Move to The Forum

In 1967, the Los Angeles Lakers began playing their home games at The Forum in Inglewood, California, where they remained for 32 seasons until 1999.

July 9, 1968: Acquisition of Wilt Chamberlain

On July 9, 1968, the Lakers acquired Wilt Chamberlain from the Philadelphia 76ers for Darrell Imhoff, Archie Clark, and Jerry Chambers.

1968: Finals Loss to Celtics

In 1968, after dropping to 36 wins and losing in the first round of the 1967 NBA playoffs, the Lakers lost in the NBA finals to the Celtics again.

1968: Acquisition of Wilt Chamberlain

In 1968, the Lakers acquired Wilt Chamberlain, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), bolstering their roster.

1969: Jerry West's Playoff Scoring Output

In 1969, Jerry West scored 53 points against the Celtics, which was the highest single-game playoff scoring output by a Laker until Shaquille O'Neal scored 46 points in Game 1 against the Trail Blazers in 1996.

1970: West's Scoring Title

In 1970, Jerry West won his first scoring title at 31.2 points per game, and the team returned to the NBA finals.

1971: Lakers Team Records

During the 1971-72 season, the Los Angeles Lakers set records for most consecutive games won overall (33), most consecutive road games won (16), and highest road winning percentage (0.816).

1971: NBA's Longest Winning Streak

The Lakers hold the record for NBA's longest winning streak, 33 straight games, set in 1971-72.

1972: Sixth NBA Title

In 1972, led by coach Bill Sharman, the Lakers won their sixth NBA title with Wilt Chamberlain on the team.

1972: Lakers Best Record

In 1972, the Los Angeles Lakers posted their best record of 69-13.

1972: Lakers win 33 straight games and NBA Championship

In 1972, the Los Angeles Lakers set a record for the longest winning streak in major American professional team sports with 33 straight wins. The Lakers also won 69 games that season. Jerry West was named MVP of the 1972 NBA All-Star Game, and at the end of the season, Bill Sharman was named Coach of the Year. The Lakers reached the finals against the New York Knicks, avenging their 1970 loss, and won the NBA Championship, with Wilt Chamberlain winning the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.

1972: Lakers win Pacific Division title

In 1972, the Los Angeles Lakers won 60 games and the Pacific Division title. Wilt Chamberlain led the league in rebounding.

1973: Lakers win Pacific Division despite West's injury

During the 1973-74 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers were hampered by the loss of Jerry West, who played only 31 games. Gail Goodrich helped the team surge late in the season, allowing them to win the Pacific Division. They only managed one win against Milwaukee in the conference semifinals.

1973: Lakers Defeated in 1973 NBA Finals

In 1973, Wilt Chamberlain set the NBA record for field-goal percentage at 72.7%. The Lakers defeated the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors to reach the 1973 NBA Finals, where they lost to the New York Knicks in five games.

1975: Lakers Acquire Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

After missing the playoffs in the 1974-75 season, in 1975, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Junior Bridgeman, and Dave Meyers. Abdul-Jabbar wanted to be traded to New York or Los Angeles.

1976: KLAC radio broadcast rights

From the 1976-77 season, KLAC had the Los Angeles Lakers' radio broadcast rights.

1976: West Hired as Lakers Coach, Team Wins Pacific Division

In 1976, Jerry West settled his differences with Jack Kent Cooke and was hired as the Los Angeles Lakers' coach. The Lakers won the Pacific Division with a league-best 53-29 record, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's MVP season.

1976: Start of Playoff Streak

In 1976, the Lakers began a playoff streak which ended in the 1993-94 season.

1976: Most Wins at Home

The Los Angeles Lakers went 37-4 at home in the 1976-77 season.

1977: Abdul-Jabbar punches Kent Benson, Kermit Washington punches Rudy Tomjanovich

During the 1977-78 season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke his hand after punching Kent Benson in the first game. Later in the season, Kermit Washington punched Rudy Tomjanovich, resulting in severe injuries and prematurely ending Tomjanovich's career. Washington was suspended and released by the Lakers.

1977: KCAL-TV over-the-air television broadcaster

Since 1977, KCAL-TV had been the Lakers' over-the-air television broadcaster, dating back to when the station was the RKO General-owned KHJ-TV, the longest relationship between an NBA team and a television station.

1978: Lakers Struggle After Altercations

In 1978, after losing Kermit Washington and being without Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for nearly two months due to altercations and injuries, the Los Angeles Lakers won 45 games but lost in the first round of the playoffs to Seattle.

1979: Jerry Buss Buys the Lakers

In 1979, Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers, the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), the Forum, and real estate from Jack Kent Cooke for $67.5 million, with the Lakers valued at $16 million.

1979: Buss Purchase and Magic Johnson Draft

In 1979, Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers. The Lakers drafted Magic Johnson first overall in the 1979 NBA draft.

1979: Magic Johnson selected first overall

In 1979, Magic Johnson was selected as the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.

1979: Lakers Draft Magic Johnson

In the 1979 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Magic Johnson from Michigan State with the first overall pick.

1979: Lakers trade for 1982 Draft Selection

Midway through the 1979-80 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers traded Don Ford and a 1980 first-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Butch Lee and their 1982 selection.

1979: Most Wins at Home

The Los Angeles Lakers went 37-4 at home in the 1979-80 season.

1980: Lakers win 1980 NBA Finals

In 1980, the Los Angeles Lakers won 60 games and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the NBA Finals. Magic Johnson won the Finals MVP award, tallying 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists in game six while starting at center for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

1981: Johnson criticizes Westhead, Westhead Fired

Early in the 1981-82 season, Magic Johnson complained about head coach Paul Westhead, demanding a trade. Westhead was subsequently fired, leading to negative reactions towards Johnson from the media and fans.

1981: Promotion of Pat Riley

In 1981, Pat Riley was promoted to head coach, further solidifying the Lakers' dominance in the NBA.

1982: James Worthy selected first overall

In 1982, James Worthy was selected as the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.

1982: Draft of James Worthy

In 1982, the Lakers drafted James Worthy, adding another key player to their roster that dominated the 1980s.

1982: Lakers win 1982 NBA Finals and draft James Worthy

On November 19, 1981, Pat Riley was promoted to co-head coach of the Lakers. In 1982, the Los Angeles Lakers, nicknamed "Showtime", won the Pacific Division title and swept the Suns and Spurs in the playoffs, winning the NBA Finals against the 76ers. On draft night in 1982, the Lakers selected James Worthy with the first overall pick.

1983: Lakers Reach NBA Finals, West becomes GM

In 1983, the Los Angeles Lakers won the Pacific Division and advanced to the NBA Finals after defeating Portland and San Antonio. However, they lost the Finals to the Philadelphia 76ers in four games. After the season, Jerry West replaced Bill Sharman as the team's GM.

1983: Lakers Reach NBA Finals Against Celtics

In the 1983-84 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers went 54-28 and played the Boston Celtics in the Finals for the first time since 1969.

1984: Highest Field-Goal Percentage

During the 1984-85 season, the Los Angeles Lakers achieved the highest field-goal percentage for a season at 54.5%.

1984: Loss to Celtics in NBA Finals

In 1984, the Lakers were defeated by the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, continuing their rivalry.

1985: Victory over Celtics in NBA Finals

In 1985, the Lakers triumphed over their archrivals, the Boston Celtics, in the NBA Finals.

1985: Kings Move to Sacramento

In 1985, the Sacramento Kings moved to Sacramento, establishing a California-based rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers.

1985: Lakers win division but lose to Rockets in Conference Finals

In the 1985-86 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers started 24-3 and won 62 games and their fifth straight division title. However, the Houston Rockets defeated the Lakers in five games in the Western Conference Finals.

1985: Celtics Break Lakers Most Wins at Home Record

The Boston Celtics set the current record of 40–1 at home in the 1985-86 season.

1985: Lakers on Fox Sports West

The Lakers had been on Fox Sports West since 1985, dating to when it was the original Prime Ticket and owned by Buss.

1986: Highest Win Total Since 1986-87 Season

In 2000, led by league MVP O'Neal, the Lakers finished with a 67-15 record, which was their highest win total since they won 65 games in the 1986-87 season.

1986: Lakers Acquire Mychal Thompson and A.C. Green is added to the lineup

Prior to the 1986-87 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers moved A.C. Green into the starting lineup and acquired Mychal Thompson from the Spurs.

1987: Michael Cooper wins Defensive Player of the Year

Following the 1989 NBA season, Michael Cooper, who won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1987, decided to play in Europe and was waived at his request.

1987: Victory over Celtics in NBA Finals

In 1987, the Lakers won another championship by defeating the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

1987: Lakers win seventh consecutive Pacific Division title

In the 1987-88 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers won their seventh consecutive Pacific Division title with a 62-20 record. They swept the Spurs in the first round of the Western Conference Finals before pulling out a tough seven-game series win over the Utah Jazz.

1988: Forum Renamed Great Western Forum

In 1988, Jerry Buss started the trend of allowing sponsors to add their names to team stadiums when he renamed the Forum the Great Western Forum.

1988: Lakers Win the 1988 NBA Finals

In 1988, the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons in a 7-game series.

1988: Last title until 2000

In 2000, the Lakers defeated Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers four games to two to win their first title since 1988.

1988: Lakers win Pacific Division but lose to Pistons in Finals

In the 1988-89 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers won 57 games and their eighth consecutive Pacific Division crown. They swept through the playoffs but were swept by the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals, hampered by injuries to Byron Scott and Magic Johnson.

June 28, 1989: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Announces Retirement

On June 28, 1989, after 20 professional seasons, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar announced his retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers.

1989: Pistons Win the 1989 NBA Finals

In 1989, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, winning the series in 4 games.

1989: Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Magic Johnson" Released

In 1989, the Red Hot Chili Peppers released the song "Magic Johnson" from their album Mother's Milk as a tribute to the former Los Angeles Lakers point guard.

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1990: Best Record Since 1990-91

In 1996, Shaquille O'Neal led the team to a 56-26 record, their best effort since 1990-91, despite missing 31 games due to a knee injury.

1990: Lakers Fail to Win Pacific Division

In the 1990-91 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers failed to win the Pacific Division for the first time in 10 years, though they still finished with a 58-24 record.

November 7, 1991: Magic Johnson Announces HIV Diagnosis and Retirement

On November 7, 1991, Magic Johnson announced that he had tested positive for HIV and would retire immediately from the Los Angeles Lakers.

1991: Lakers and Warriors Postseason Meeting

By 1991, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors had met six times in the postseason since 1967, contributing to their developing rivalry.

1991: Lakers Lose to Chicago Bulls in NBA Finals

In 1991, after cruising through the Western Conference playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers reached the NBA Finals for the ninth time in 12 years. However, they were defeated in five games by the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan.

1991: First Trip to Finals Since 1991

In 2000, it was Lakers' first trip to the NBA Finals since 1991.

1993: Lakers losing season and playoff appearance

In 1992-93, the Lakers, under coach Randy Pfund, had their first losing season since 1976, losing 43 games. Despite this, they made the playoffs as an eighth seed, winning the first two games on the road against Phoenix. However, they lost the subsequent games, including game five in Phoenix in overtime.

1994: Eddie Jones selected tenth overall

In 1994, Eddie Jones was selected tenth overall by the Los Angeles Lakers as a lottery pick.

1994: Missing Playoffs

In the 2004-05 season, the Lakers missed the playoffs for the first time since 1994.

1995: Magic Johnson's return

In the 1995-96 season, Magic Johnson returned from retirement to play for the Lakers, leading them to a 29-11 finish after a 24-18 start. However, due to issues with Nick Van Exel, dissatisfaction with Coach Harris' strategies, and a first-round playoff loss to the Rockets, Johnson decided to retire for the final time after the season.

1996: Acquisition of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal

During the 1996 off-season, the Lakers acquired 17-year-old Kobe Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets for Vlade Divac. They also signed free-agent Shaquille O'Neal. They used their 24th pick in the draft to select Derek Fisher. During the season, the team traded Cedric Ceballos to Phoenix for Robert Horry.

1996: Trade for Kobe Bryant and Signing of Shaquille O'Neal

In 1996, the Lakers traded with the Charlotte Hornets for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant and signed center Shaquille O'Neal, setting the stage for a return to dominance.

1997: Lakers' Franchise Best Start

In the 1997-98 season, O'Neal and the Lakers had the best start in franchise history, with a record of 11-0.

1998: Trade of Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell

During the 1998-99 season, All-Star guard Eddie Jones and center Elden Campbell were traded to the Charlotte Hornets.

1999: Hiring of Phil Jackson

Before the 1999-2000 season, the Lakers hired former Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson to be their coach.

1999: Lakers Move to Staples Center

In 1999, the Los Angeles Lakers officially moved into Staples Center, now known as Crypto.com Arena, after playing their home games at The Forum for 32 seasons.

1999: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 1999, the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Championship, starting a period of rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers that saw both teams appear in seven consecutive NBA Finals.

1999: Crypto.com Arena Opens

In the fall of 1999, Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as Staples Center, opened as the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, seating up to 18,997 fans for games.

2000: Lakers Best Playoff Record

During the 2000-01 season, the Los Angeles Lakers set the NBA record for best playoff record at 15-1.

2000: NBA Championship

In 2000, led by Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and coach Phil Jackson, the Lakers won the NBA Championship, starting a three-year run.

2000: Kobe Winning MVP Since 2000

In 2008, Bryant was awarded the league's MVP award, becoming the first Laker to win the award since O'Neal in 2000.

December 16, 2001: End of Chick Hearn's broadcasting streak

On December 16, 2001, Chick Hearn's streak of broadcasting 3,338 consecutive Lakers games came to an end.

2001: Lakers Win NBA Championship

In 2001, the Los Angeles Lakers secured another NBA championship, solidifying their position as a dominant force alongside the San Antonio Spurs.

2001: Second Finals MVP for O'Neal

In the 2001-02 season, the Lakers swept Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals, marking their second consecutive championship. O'Neal won the Finals series' MVP awards for that year.

2002: Lakers Attendance Figures

From 2002 to 2007, the Los Angeles Lakers averaged just over 18,900 fans, placing them in the top ten in the NBA in attendance.

2002: Chick Hearn's death

In 2002, Chick Hearn, the Lakers' long-time broadcaster, passed away. Paul Sunderland was named the permanent play-by-play announcer.

2002: NBA Championship

In 2002, the Lakers secured their third consecutive championship, completing their second "three-peat" with Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and coach Phil Jackson.

2002: Controversial 2002 Western Conference Finals

In 2002, the Western Conference Finals between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers was highly contested, with controversial calls in Game 6 leading to the Lakers winning the series in Game 7.

2002: Lakers' Season and Playoff Result

In the 2002-03 season, the Lakers finished with a 50-32 record. They defeated Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs but were eliminated by San Antonio in six games in the second round, ending their four-peat attempt.

2003: Signing of Karl Malone and Gary Payton

During the 2003-04 season, before the season, the Lakers signed two-time MVP Karl Malone and former Seattle Defensive Player of the Year Gary Payton to join O'Neal and Bryant, forming the first "superteam" of the 21st century.

2003: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 2003, the San Antonio Spurs secured another NBA championship, marking a period of dominance alongside the Los Angeles Lakers.

2003: Jackson Criticizes Bryant in Book

In 2004, after the 2003-04 season, Jackson wrote a book in which he heavily criticized Bryant and called him "uncoachable". The Lakers front office said that the book contained "several inaccuracies".

2004: Trade of Shaquille O'Neal

After losing to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 Finals, the Lakers traded away Shaquille O'Neal, ending the dynamic "Shaq-and-Kobe" era.

2004: Trade of Rick Fox and Gary Payton

Before the 2004-05 season, the Lakers traded Rick Fox and Gary Payton to Boston for Chris Mihm, Marcus Banks, and Chucky Atkins.

2004: Pistons Win the 2004 NBA Finals

In 2004, the Detroit Pistons won the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.

2004: Spurs and Lakers Rivalry Considered Premier in the NBA

In 2004, the rivalry between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers was considered the premier rivalry in the NBA, with the winner of their playoff matchups advancing to the NBA Finals.

February 13, 2005: Karl Malone's Retirement

After sitting out the first half of the 2004-05 season, Malone announced his retirement on February 13, 2005.

2005: Andrew Bynum selected tenth overall

In 2005, Andrew Bynum was selected tenth overall by the Los Angeles Lakers as a lottery pick.

2005: Phil Jackson's second stint as coach

In 2005, Phil Jackson began his second stint as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, which lasted until 2011.

2005: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 2005, the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Championship, continuing their run of success and solidifying their rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers.

2005: Drafting Andrew Bynum

In the 2005 NBA draft, the Lakers selected Andrew Bynum with the tenth overall pick. The team also traded Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins to Washington for Kwame Brown and Laron Profit.

2005: Sunderland's contract expired

In the summer of 2005, Paul Sunderland's contract expired and was not renewed by the Los Angeles Lakers. Joel Meyers moved in alongside Stu Lantz as the television announcer.

January 22, 2006: Kobe Bryant's 81-Point Game

On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against Toronto, the second-highest total in NBA history.

2007: Re-acquisition of Derek Fisher

After re-acquiring Derek Fisher, the Lakers started the 2007-08 season with a 25-11 record.

2007: Lakers Attendance Figures

From 2002 to 2007, the Los Angeles Lakers averaged just over 18,900 fans, placing them in the top ten in the NBA in attendance.

2007: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 2007, the San Antonio Spurs won another NBA championship.

2008: Loss to Celtics in NBA Finals

In 2008, after trading for Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson returned to the NBA Finals, but lost to the Boston Celtics.

2008: Celtics Defeat Lakers in NBA Finals

In 2008, the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, winning the series 4–2, marking the first Finals meeting between the two teams since 1987.

2008: Lakers Sell Out Every Home Game

In 2008, the Los Angeles Lakers sold out every home game.

2008: Spurs Defeat Lakers in Western Conference Finals

In 2008, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, but were later defeated by the Lakers in 2013.

2008: Lakers finished 2008-09 Season

In the 2008-09 season, the Lakers finished 65-17; the best record in the Western Conference.

2008: End of KLAC radio broadcast rights

The 2008-09 season was the last season in which KLAC held the Los Angeles Lakers' radio broadcast rights.

October 9, 2009: Lakers Host Preseason Game at The Forum

On October 9, 2009, the Los Angeles Lakers hosted a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at The Forum to commemorate the team's 50th-anniversary season in Los Angeles.

2009: Radio broadcasts on KSPN and KWKW

Beginning in the 2009-10 season, Lakers radio broadcasts were heard on KSPN (Los Angeles ESPN Radio affiliate) in English and KWKW in Spanish.

2009: Phil Jackson breaks regular-season wins record

In 2009, Phil Jackson broke Pat Riley's regular-season wins record as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

2009: Lakers Sponsors and Ticket Prices

In 2009, major sponsors of the Los Angeles Lakers included Verizon Wireless, Toyota, Anheuser-Busch, American Express, and Carl's Jr., and the team's average ticket price of $113 was the highest in the league.

2009: NBA Championship

In 2009, the Lakers won the NBA championship with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and coach Phil Jackson.

2009: Addition of Ron Artest to Starting Lineup

In the 2009-10 season, the Lakers added Ron Artest (Metta World Peace) in place of Trevor Ariza in their starting lineup.

2009: Lakers Team Records

Into the 2009-10 season, the Los Angeles Lakers held records for the most wins (3,027), the highest winning percentage (61.9%), and the most NBA Finals appearances (31).

January 13, 2010: Lakers Achieve 3,000 Regular-Season Wins

On January 13, 2010, the Lakers became the first team in NBA history to win 3,000 regular-season games by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 100-95.

June 2010: Selvy's Missed Shot Haunts Him

In June 2010, Frank Selvy said that his missed potential game-winning jump shot in the 1962 NBA Finals still haunted him more than 40 years later.

2010: Phil Jackson Returns for 2010-11 Season

Head coach Phil Jackson returned for the 2010-11 season.

2010: Jerry Buss Elected to Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2010, Jerry Buss, the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

2010: Phil Jackson passes playoff wins and games coached records

In 2010, Phil Jackson surpassed Pat Riley's playoff wins and games coached records as the Lakers' head coach.

2010: 16th NBA Title

In 2010, the Lakers won their 16th NBA title, defeating the Boston Celtics in the Finals, marking the latest matchup between the two rivals.

2010: Lakers Merchandise Popularity

In 2010, the Los Angeles Lakers had the most popular team merchandise among all NBA teams, and Kobe Bryant had the most popular jersey.

2010: Lakers Win NBA Championship

In 2010, the Los Angeles Lakers won another NBA championship.

2010: Lakers Win NBA Finals Against Celtics

In 2010, the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics in 7 games.

February 14, 2011: Time Warner Cable and Lakers announce sports networks

On February 14, 2011, Time Warner Cable and the Lakers announced the formation of two new regional sports networks (one in English, one in Spanish) that would exclusively televise the team's games and related programming for 20 years starting with the 2012-13 season.

May 2011: Mike Brown named head coach

In May 2011, Mike Brown was named the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, replacing Phil Jackson.

May 25, 2011: Mike Brown Hired as Head Coach

On May 25, 2011, Mike Brown, former head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, was hired as the Los Angeles Lakers' new head coach following Phil Jackson's retirement.

2011: Bill Macdonald new television play-by-play announcer

For the 2011-12 season, Bill Macdonald became the new television play-by-play announcer for the Lakers, joining Stu Lantz. John Ireland joined Mychal Thompson to call the games on radio.

2011: Phil Jackson's Retirement

In 2011, Phil Jackson retired as the Lakers' head coach, marking the end of a successful era.

2011: Telecasts Split

Until 2011, telecasts had been split between KCAL-TV (road games) and Fox Sports West (home games), unless they are chosen for national broadcasts on ABC.

July 4, 2012: Steve Nash Agrees to Sign-and-Trade Deal

On July 4, 2012, Steve Nash agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers traded their 2013 and 2015 first-round draft picks, 2013 and 2014 second-round draft picks, and $3 million to acquire Nash.

July 11, 2012: Steve Nash Trade Finalized

On July 11, 2012, the trade of Steve Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers became official, marking the first day the trade moratorium was lifted.

August 10, 2012: Lakers Acquire Dwight Howard

On August 10, 2012, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Dwight Howard in a four-team trade. The Lakers traded Andrew Bynum in the deal.

November 9, 2012: Mike Brown Relieved of Coaching Duties

On November 9, 2012, Mike Brown was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers after the team started the 2012-13 season with a 1-4 record.

November 12, 2012: Mike D'Antoni Hired as Head Coach

On November 12, 2012, Mike D'Antoni was hired as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, succeeding Mike Brown.

2012: Launch of Time Warner Cable SportsNet

In 2012-13 season, Time Warner Cable SportsNet was launched to exclusively televise the Los Angeles Lakers' games and related programming.

February 18, 2013: Lakers Owner Jerry Buss Dies

On February 18, 2013, Jerry Buss, the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, passed away from cancer at the age of 80.

March 30, 2013: Kobe Bryant Passes Wilt Chamberlain in Scoring

On March 30, 2013, Kobe Bryant passed Wilt Chamberlain to become the fourth all-time leading scorer in NBA history during a game against the Sacramento Kings.

April 12, 2013: Kobe Bryant Tears Achilles Tendon

On April 12, 2013, Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles tendon, sidelining him from the game.

April 16, 2013: Lakers Clinch Playoff Berth

On April 16, 2013, the Los Angeles Lakers clinched a playoff berth in the final game of the season after beating the Houston Rockets. They finished seventh in the Western Conference.

December 8, 2013: Kobe Bryant Returns After Achilles Injury

On December 8, 2013, Kobe Bryant played his first game since tearing his Achilles tendon on April 12, 2013.

December 17, 2013: Kobe Bryant Suffers Knee Injury

On December 17, 2013, Kobe Bryant suffered a broken bone in his knee and did not return for the remainder of the season.

2013: D'Antoni resigns as head coach

At the end of the 2013-14 season, Mike D'Antoni resigned as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

2013: Jeanie Buss Takes Over Lakers

In 2013, Jeanie Buss became the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, running the team on behalf of the entire family following the death of Jerry Buss.

2013: Death of Jerry Buss

In 2013, Jerry Buss, the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, passed away; Forbes valued the team at $1 billion at the time.

2013: Spurs Defeat Lakers in Western Conference Finals

In 2013, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, after being handily defeated by them in 2008.

March 25, 2014: Lakers Score Franchise Record Points in a Quarter

On March 25, 2014, the Los Angeles Lakers scored 51 points in the third quarter against the New York Knicks, setting a franchise record for the most points scored in a quarter.

April 30, 2014: Mike D'Antoni Resigns as Head Coach

On April 30, 2014, Mike D'Antoni resigned from his position as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers after a 27–55 season.

July 2014: Byron Scott hired as head coach

In July 2014, Byron Scott was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

July 28, 2014: Byron Scott Hired as Head Coach

On July 28, 2014, Byron Scott signed a multi-year contract to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

2014: Julius Randle selected seventh overall

In 2014, Julius Randle was selected seventh overall by the Los Angeles Lakers as a lottery pick.

2014: Departure of Pau Gasol

In 2014, Pau Gasol departed from the Lakers, further signaling a period of transition for the team.

2014: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 2014, the San Antonio Spurs won another NBA championship.

November 30, 2015: Kobe Bryant Announces Retirement

On November 30, 2015, Kobe Bryant announced that he would retire at the end of the season after 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.

2015: D'Angelo Russell selected second overall

In 2015, D'Angelo Russell was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers as a lottery pick.

2015: Byron Scott's Final Season

The 2015-16 season marked the final season for Byron Scott as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

April 24, 2016: Lakers Decline Byron Scott's Option

On April 24, 2016, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that they would not exercise their option on Byron Scott's contract for the following season.

April 29, 2016: Luke Walton named head coach

On April 29, 2016, former Lakers player Luke Walton was named as head coach, replacing Byron Scott.

2016: Brandon Ingram selected second overall

In 2016, Brandon Ingram was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers as a lottery pick.

2016: Kobe Bryant's Retirement

In 2016, Kobe Bryant retired from the Lakers, ending his legendary 20-year career with the team.

2016: Time Warner Cable SportsNet renamed Spectrum SportsNet

In 2016, Time Warner Cable SportsNet was renamed Spectrum SportsNet upon Charter Communications' purchase of Time Warner Cable.

2016: Lakers Worst Record

In 2016, the Los Angeles Lakers posted their worst record of 17-65.

February 2017: Jeanie Buss Fires Jim Buss

In February 2017, Jeanie Buss fired Jim Buss from his role in basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers after several disappointing seasons, leading to litigation over team control.

February 21, 2017: Mitch Kupchak Fired, Magic Johnson Named President

On February 21, 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers fired general manager Mitch Kupchak, and Magic Johnson was named as the president of basketball operations.

March 7, 2017: Rob Pelinka Hired as General Manager

On March 7, 2017, Rob Pelinka was hired as the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, signing a five-year deal.

March 2017: Buss Children Manage Trusts

As of March 2017, Jerry Buss' six children managed the family's 66% controlling stake in the Los Angeles Lakers via four related trusts, with Jeanie, Janie, and Johnny Buss serving as co-trustees.

2017: Lonzo Ball selected second overall

In 2017, Lonzo Ball was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers as a lottery pick.

2017: Warriors Break Lakers Playoff Record

In 2017, the Golden State Warriors broke the Los Angeles Lakers' record for best playoff record, which was set in the 2000-01 season.

February 2018: Nance Jr. and Clarkson Traded to Cavaliers

In February 2018, Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson were traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and a 2018 first-round draft pick.

July 2, 2018: Lakers Renounce Julius Randle

On July 2, 2018, the Los Angeles Lakers renounced Julius Randle.

July 9, 2018: Lakers Sign LeBron James

On July 9, 2018, LeBron James signed a four-year, $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

2018: Signing of LeBron James

In 2018, the Lakers signed superstar LeBron James, signaling a new chapter for the franchise after rebuilding seasons.

2018: Luke Walton's Final Season

The 2018-19 season marked the final season for Luke Walton as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

February 7, 2019: Zubac Traded to Clippers

On February 7, 2019, Ivica Zubac was traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to the Los Angeles Clippers along with Michael Beasley in exchange for Mike Muscala.

April 9, 2019: Magic Johnson Steps Down

On April 9, 2019, Magic Johnson stepped down as the Los Angeles Lakers' president of basketball operations.

May 13, 2019: Frank Vogel named head coach

On May 13, 2019, Frank Vogel was named the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers on a multiyear deal, succeeding Luke Walton.

2019: Death of JoAnn Buss

In 2019, JoAnn Buss, ex-wife of Jerry Buss, passed away; a portion of the Los Angeles Lakers shares were reserved for her.

2019: Trade for Anthony Davis

In 2019, the Lakers traded several prospects for star big man Anthony Davis, pairing him with LeBron James.

January 25, 2020: LeBron James Passes Kobe Bryant on Scoring List

On January 25, 2020, LeBron James passed Kobe Bryant for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list during a road loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

2020: 17th NBA Championship

In 2020, led by LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and coach Frank Vogel, the Lakers won their 17th championship, tying the Celtics for the most titles.

2020: Lakers Win 2020 NBA Finals

In 2020, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat 4–2 to win the 2020 NBA Finals, dedicating the championship to Kobe Bryant. LeBron James was named the Finals MVP. This win marked the Lakers' 17th championship in franchise history.

2021: Lakers Acquire Veterans

During the 2021 off-season, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired several NBA veterans, including Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwight Howard, while Kyle Kuzma was traded away.

2021: Lakers Jersey Patch Deal with Bibigo

In 2021, the Los Angeles Lakers began a jersey patch deal with Bibigo for the 2021-22 season.

2021: Frank Vogel's Final Season

The 2021-22 season marked the final season for Frank Vogel as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

June 6, 2022: Darvin Ham named head coach

On June 6, 2022, Darvin Ham was named as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, succeeding Frank Vogel.

December 9, 2023: Lakers Win NBA In-Season Tournament

On December 9, 2023, the Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, defeating the Indiana Pacers in the championship game. LeBron James was named the tournament MVP.

2023: Lakers Make Western Conference Finals

In 2023, the Los Angeles Lakers made a surprising run in the Playoffs, reaching the Western Conference Finals before being defeated by the Denver Nuggets.

May 3, 2024: Darvin Ham fired as head coach

On May 3, 2024, Darvin Ham was fired by the Lakers after being eliminated in Game 5 of the first round by the Denver Nuggets. He led the Lakers to their first In-Season Tournament championship.

June 20, 2024: JJ Redick Hired as Head Coach

On June 20, 2024, JJ Redick was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

June 24, 2024: JJ Redick hired as head coach

On June 24, 2024, former NBA player JJ Redick was hired as the 29th head coach in team history.

June 27, 2024: Lakers Draft Bronny James

On June 27, 2024, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, at 55th overall in the 2024 NBA draft, forming the first father-son duo in NBA history.

October 2024: Lakers Valued at $7.1 Billion

In October 2024, Forbes estimated that the Los Angeles Lakers were the third-most-valuable team in basketball, with a valuation of $7.1 billion.

October 23, 2024: LeBron and Bronny James Play Together

On October 23, 2024, the Los Angeles Lakers made NBA history as being the first team to have a father and son (LeBron James & Bronny James) play together, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in their season opening game.

2024: Lakers Ownership Structure in 2024

As of 2024, the Los Angeles Lakers ownership is divided among the Buss Family Trusts (66%), Mark Walter (20%), Todd Boehly (7%), Patrick Soon-Shiong (4%), and Ed Roski Jr. (3%).

2024: Celtics Surpass Lakers in Championship Titles

In 2024, the Boston Celtics surpassed the Los Angeles Lakers for the highest number of NBA championships, winning their 18th title and exceeding the Lakers' 17 titles.

2024: Tie with Celtics for Most Titles

In 2024, the Lakers were tied with the Celtics for the most NBA titles at 17.

2024: Clippers Move to Intuit Dome

In 2024, the Los Angeles Clippers moved to the Intuit Dome, ending the shared-arena arrangement with the Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena and making them no longer the only two NBA teams to share an arena.

2024: Lakers Ticket Sales

The Los Angeles Lakers sold a total of 767,626 tickets for the 2024-25 season, ranking 12th in the league.

February 1, 2025: Lakers Trade for Luka Dončić

On February 1, 2025, the Los Angeles Lakers traded Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick in 2029 for all-star guard Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris.

February 2025: Trade of Davis for Dončić

In February 2025, the Lakers traded Anthony Davis while acquiring Luka Dončić.

June 2025: Buss Family Agrees to Sell Majority Control to Mark Walter

In June 2025, ESPN reported that the Buss family had agreed to sell majority control of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter at a $10 billion team valuation, with Jeanie Buss continuing to run the team and the Buss family retaining a 15% stake.