Los Angeles Lakers · Franchise era 8 of 8
LeBron, Davis and another banner: the Los Angeles Lakers story
The story in one sentence
James and Davis restored the Lakers to the summit with the 2020 championship before another major roster handoff reshaped the future.
Superstar reinvention in a new generation
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves gave the era its recognizable core.
Its final meaning is still being written.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2018–19
What came before
Injuries broke an ambitious veteran roster, and the Lakers spent several years developing young players after Bryant's final run.
- 08TradeJuly 6, 2019
July 6, 2019
The Anthony Davis package that produced a title and a rebuild
The Lakers compressed nearly their entire young core into a second superstar. The Pelicans accepted a long rebuild with both immediate players and control over Los Angeles's future drafts.
To LAL
To NOPDraftPICKround asset+5 assetsAnthony Davis to the LakersLAL receives Anthony DavisNOP receives Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart + 5 more9 original assets · 4 outcomes tracedOpen trade → 2020
Western Conference Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets
2020
NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat
2023
Western Conference Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets
Still unfolding
Where the story stands
This chapter remains active, so its final place in franchise history is still being written.
The core