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.
It’s hard to believe that Dennis Rodman was once a member of the Lakers. He started his career with the Detroit Pistons as a second-round draft pick in 1986, and he played a key role in their drive to back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990 as an outstanding defender and rebounder. He took his rebounding exploits to the next level in the early 1990s, when he began a string of seven straight seasons in which he led the league in that category.
After helping the Chicago Bulls win three straight titles from 1996 to 1998, Rodman was signed by the Lakers early in the 1999 season. They badly needed help at the power forward position, and the 6-foot-7 veteran was supposed to help. At first, he helped the Lakers go on a long winning streak, but his commitment, focus and dedication waned afterward, and he was waived after less than two months with the team.
In 23 games with L.A., Rodman averaged 2.1 points and 11.2 rebounds in 28.6 minutes a game. He spent part of the next season with the Dallas Mavericks before retiring with career averages of 7.3 points and 13.1 boards per game, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 73 — Dennis Rodman
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire | USA TODAY Network
