Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers 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.
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.
In 1977, the Lakers took center James Edwards in the third round of the NBA draft out of the University of Washington. As a rookie, he averaged 15.2 points and 7.4 rebounds a game, but the Lakers traded him after he had appeared in 25 games with them. In those 25 contests, he averaged 14.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
Years later, Edwards became known as a significant rotation player on the Detroit Pistons teams that won back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. He returned to the Lakers in 1992 and spent two more seasons with them while putting up 5.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.2 minutes a game.
He retired after winning a third title with the Chicago Bulls in 1996 with career averages of 12.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 24.3 minutes a contest.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 42/No. 53 — James Edwards
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
