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.
Just prior to the 1979-80 season, with a rookie named Magic Johnson on board, the Lakers loaded up on power forwards by acquiring Jim Chones and Spencer Haywood. Midway through the campaign, they added a little more depth at the position by trading Ollie Mack and two future second-round draft picks to the Chicago Bulls for Mark Landsberger.
The 6-foot-8 big man lacked offensive skills, but he was a capable rebounder. He remained with the Lakers until the start of the 1983-84 season, and during his time with them, he averaged 4.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in 14.3 minutes a game and got two championship rings in 1980 and 1982.
Landsberger’s NBA career ended with the 1983-84 campaign, but he later continued playing basketball in Europe. He finished with NBA career averages of 5.6 points and 6.1 rebounds in 16.7 minutes a game.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 54 — Mark Landsberger
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire | USA TODAY Network
