Los Angeles Lakers · Franchise era 2 of 8
West, Baylor and Wilt: the Los Angeles Lakers story
Franchise era
1960–61—1978–79
West, Baylor and Wilt
Los Angeles Lakers
The story in one sentence
Years of Finals frustration finally ended when the 1971–72 Lakers won 33 straight games and the championship.
Los Angeles stardom meets Boston heartbreak
Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain and Gail Goodrich gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for showtime.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 1960–61
What came before
The Lakers won five championships in six seasons around Mikan and established the NBA's first true dynasty.
1969
NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics
1970
NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks
1972
NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks
June 16, 1975
The trade that brought Kareem home to Los Angeles
Abdul-Jabbar had requested a move to New York or Los Angeles. The Lakers exchanged four substantial rotation pieces for the league's premier center.
11Franchise cornerstoneJune 16, 1975LAL⇄MILKareem to the LakersMilwaukee sent Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley to Los Angeles for Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Dave Meyers, Junior Bridgeman and future considerations.7 assets · 1 outcomes＋
The original receipt
Los Angeles Lakers received
- • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- • Walt Wesley
Milwaukee Bucks received
- • Elmore Smith
- • Brian Winters
- • Draft rights to Dave Meyers
- • Draft rights to Junior Bridgeman
- • Future considerations
Kareem won five championships and three MVPs as a Laker. Winters and Bridgeman became long-term Bucks, giving Milwaukee a meaningful return without replacing a generational star.
Open full trade tree →After 1978–79
What came next
Magic's arrival unlocked a glamorous, devastating style that produced nine Finals trips and five titles.
The core