The Los Angeles Lakers rank among the most decorated franchises in NBA history, winning 17 championships – just one fewer than the Boston Celtics’ all-time record – and establishing a legacy built on decades of sustained success.

From the iconic Showtime teams of the 1980s, which captured five championships in a 10-year stretch, to the Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant dynasty that secured three straight titles between 2000 and 2002, the Lakers have delivered countless unforgettable moments while producing many of the greatest stars the game has ever witnessed.

Choosing the greatest Lakers players of all time is never an easy debate, so GIVEMESPORT turned to ChatGPT to select and rank the 10 finest players ever to represent the famous purple and gold.

While the AI’s rankings were based on individual achievements, team success, and overall influence, several legendary figures narrowly missed out on the top 10. Honourable mentions include Gail Goodrich, Michael Cooper, Byron Scott, A.C. Green, and Anthony Davis.

So, without further ado, here are the 10 greatest Los Angeles Lakers players of all time – ranked by AI.

10

Pau Gasol

2x NBA Champion, 3x All-Star (with Lakers)

Acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies in a 2008 trade, Pau Gasol became a crucial piece of the Lakers’ back-to-back NBA championship teams in 2009 and 2010, forming an outstanding partnership alongside Kobe Bryant.

During his time in Los Angeles, Gasol averaged 17.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists across 429 games. He also earned three All-Star selections and established himself as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history.

ChatGPT described Gasol as Kobe’s ‘perfect sidekick’ during the late 2000s, highlighting the significant impact he made after joining the Lakers from Memphis in 2008 and helping transform the franchise’s fortunes.

9

James Worthy

3x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP

Selected with the No.1 overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft, James Worthy spent all 12 seasons of his NBA career with the Lakers and became a cornerstone of the franchise’s famous Showtime era.

Playing alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Worthy was an integral part of one of the greatest teams in NBA history, helping the Lakers capture three championships. His standout performance in the 1988 Finals also earned him Finals MVP honours.

According to AI, Worthy consistently justified his ‘Big Game James’ nickname and played a pivotal role in the Lakers’ dominance throughout the 1980s, averaging 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 926 games.

8

Wilt Chamberlain

1x NBA Champion (with Lakers), 1x Finals MVP

Wilt Chamberlain spent the final five seasons of his legendary career with the Lakers and helped lead them to the 1972 NBA championship – the franchise’s first since moving to Los Angeles.

The dominant center was a key defensive anchor and rebounder during his time with the Lakers, and this is why ChatGPT placed him eighth on the greatest Lakers ever list.

Chamberlain averaged 19.2 rebounds, 17.7 points and 4.3 assists in 339 games for the Lakers and was named Finals MVP in 1972.

7

LeBron James

1x NBA Champion (with Lakers), 1x Finals MVP

LeBron James signed with the Lakers in 2018 and helped bring an end to the franchise’s decade-long championship drought by leading them to the NBA title in 2020.

During that season, he steered the Lakers to championship success inside the Orlando bubble and claimed Finals MVP honours, becoming the first player in NBA history to win the award with three different franchises – Miami, Cleveland and Los Angeles.

LeBron also surpassed the NBA’s all-time scoring record while wearing a Lakers uniform in 2023, and ChatGPT believes his continued elite level of play well into his late 30s has secured his place as the seventh-greatest Laker of all time.

6

Elgin Baylor

11x All-Star, 10x All-NBA First Team

Elgin Baylor joined the franchise in 1958 when it was still based in Minneapolis and became one of the Lakers’ original superstars and a true pioneer of modern basketball.

His athleticism, hang time and scoring ability were particular standouts at that point in time and helped him become the cornerstone of the team’s early success after the move to Los Angeles in 1960.

Baylor averaged 27.4 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 843 games for the Lakers and holds the record for most points in an NBA Finals game with 61, while ChatGPT called him a pioneer of above-the-rim play.

5

Shaquille O’Neal

3x NBA Champion (with Lakers), 1x MVP

Arguably the most dominant NBA player of all time, Shaquille O’Neal joined the Lakers in 1996 as a free agent and immediately transformed the team into a title contender.

Shaq led the Lakers to three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002 alongside Kobe Bryant and won three straight Finals MVP awards during that period.

His 2000 season was one of the most dominant in league history, as he was named regular season MVP and led the league in scoring, while, according to AI, his and Kobe’s duo was one of the most unstoppable in NBA history.

4

Jerry West

1x NBA Champion, 10x All-NBA First Team

Jerry West was the face of the Lakers throughout the 1960s and early 1970s and spent his entire 14-season career with the franchise, averaging 27.0 points, 6.7 assists and 5.8 rebounds in 932 games.

Despite reaching the Finals nine times as a Laker, West only won the title once in 1972 alongside Wilt Chamberlain, while ChatGPT praised his clutch performances and ‘unmatched’ leadership.

West’s silhouette became the inspiration for the NBA logo, while his legacy as a Laker extends beyond his playing days – he spent three seasons coaching the team from 1976 to 1979 and later worked as a general manager for almost two decades.

3

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

5x NBA Champion (with Lakers), 3x MVP

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar joined the Lakers in 1975 after a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks and went on to cement his legacy as one of the greatest centers in NBA history.

Known for his signature skyhook, he helped lead the Lakers to five championships in the 1980s and was named MVP three times – adding to his collection of six (including three with Milwaukee)

Abdul-Jabbar averaged 22.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 1,093 games for the Lakers and was also named Finals MVP in 1985 at the age of 38.

2

Kobe Bryant

5x NBA Champion, 1x MVP

Kobe Bryant spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers and became one of the most iconic figures in the history of sport.

He developed into a relentless competitor and an elite scorer during his time in Los Angeles, winning five NBA titles, earning 18 All-Star selections, 15 All-NBA selections and a league MVP in 2008.

Kobe averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 1,346 games in the purple and gold uniform and scored 81 points in a single game in 2006 – the second-highest in league history.

1

Magic Johnson

5x NBA Champion, 3x MVP

Ultimately, AI named Magic Johnson as the greatest Lakers player of all time and praised him for revolutionising the point guard role with his size and unmatched vision.

Johnson is regarded as arguably the greatest point guard in NBA history and was a leader of the Lakers during their iconic Showtime era, winning five championships, three league MVPs and a Finals MVP as a rookie in 1980.

He spent his entire 13-year NBA career with the Lakers, averaging 19.5 points, 11.2 assists and 7.2 rebounds in 906 games.

Manchester United are exploring alternative midfielders after failing with a deal to sign Mateus Fernandes in the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils have a lengthy list of potential midfield targets as they prepare to bring in multiple bodies in the middle of the park this summer.

Fernandes was certainly a key target for United, but reports have now emerged that he is set to join Tottenham for a fee in the region of £85m.

Spurs were willing to pay the full £85m up front, whereas Man United wanted to pay some of the transfer fee in add-ons.

Man United are close to confirming a midfield addition after reaching an agreement to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson in May.

Despite that, there is no doubt United are in the market for another midfielder.

Man Utd Explore Fernandes Alternatives

via Reuters

According to a report from The Athletic, Manchester United have a host of names on their shortlist to strengthen their midfield options in the summer transfer window.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha is believed to be among the names United are considering, and they’ve already opened talks about securing his signature.

Nmecha is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Fernandes was the priority target for the Red Devils before Tottenham swooped in to agree a deal.

Nmecha enjoyed an impressive World Cup with Germany before they were knocked out by Paraguay on penalties.

Nmecha, described as ‘one of the best midfielders in the world’ by Julian Nagelsmann, is among a lengthy list of names that United are potentially considering a move for, and it remains to be seen who is going to emerge as their new priority target.

Man Utd Eyeing Fernandes’ Team-Mate

After failing with a move to sign Fernandes from West Ham, they are now interested in signing one of his team-mates, or soon-to-be former team-mates.

According to Sky Sports, United have made West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville a leading target for the summer transfer window as they look to strengthen on the left-hand side of attack.

The Red Devils might be hoping they’ll be able to get Summerville at a reduced price with West Ham bringing in so much for Fernandes.

The Hammers remained firm with their valuation for Fernandes, so it might be difficult to get Summerville on the cheap.

Tottenham Hotspur have been the busiest team in the summer transfer window so far and they do not show any sign of slowing down.

Spurs have already confirmed four completed deals, with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson arriving on free transfers. They also spent big on signing Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton in a £52million deal.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has set out his stall to revitalise the ailing squad that he inherited at the end of March and the Spurs owners have backed their new boss with signings he has asked for.

Midfield duo set to arrive in north London

via Reuters

A fifth signing is imminent, with Tottenham having agreed a deal with West Ham to sign Mateus Fernandes after winning the race with Manchester United. Fernandes will become Spurs’ new record signing in a deal worth £85million.

Spurs are still in talks with Newcastle United over a deal to sign Sandro Tonali, with an initial £80million bid rejected by the Magpies. Should they manage to negotiate a fee, it is likely the Italian would then break the transfer record once more.

Tonali’s arrival would add major strength to the midfield department, which has already been boosted by Fernandes’ signing. And having bolstered his defence and goalkeeping department, all that would seemingly remain for De Zerbi would be to upgrade his forward line.

There are a number of players who will be like new signings for the Italian, with Dejan Kulusevski having not featured at all last season and Mohammed Kudus yet to play under De Zerbi.

But there are likely to be new figures arriving in that department too. Richarlison could leave if the right offer comes in for him, while the likes of Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert will remain sidelined for the start of the campaign, which leaves Spurs a little light.

Spurs turn attention to forward signing

GIVEMESPORT understands Tottenham will look at the market for a new No.9 this summer and Eli Kroupi Junior has emerged as a potential candidate to arrive in north London, according to Spurs insider Paul O’Keefe.

The Bournemouth striker broke the Premier League record last season for the number of goals scored by a teenager in a season, taking the mantel from Robbie Keane and Robbie Fowler before him.

In his first season in the English top flight, the now 20-year-old notched 13 goals in 33 appearances, although nine of those goals came in the 21 starts he was handed by then boss Andoni Iraola.

Kroupi has plenty of admirers, with Arsenal and Chelsea both also understood to be keen on signing him this summer, but as Spurs attentions turn to their forward line, the Bournemouth star is in their sights, although they will have to spend big once more to sign him, with the Cherries demanding between £80million and £100million to sell him this summer.

The forward has been described as a ‘phenomenon’ and likened in style to Kylian Mbappe by Tiemoue Bakayoko.