Lakers beat writer Mike Bresnahan offer his take on the best Lakers’ trades and signings of all-time.
Robert Horry and Joe Kleine were acquired from Phoenix for Cedric Ceballos and Rumeal Robinson in 1997. (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)
Pau Gasol was acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies in 2008 for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the draft rights to Marc Gasol and two future first-round picks. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
The Lakers traded Don Ford and a first-round selection to Cleveland in 1980 for Butch Lee and a first-round pick in 1982. Cleveland had the worst record after the 1981-82 season, and the Lakers selected James Worthy with the top overall pick. (Lennox McLendon / Associated Press)
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Wilt Chamberlain was acquired from Philadelphia for Jerry Chambers, Archie Clark and Darrell Imhoff in 1968. (Larry Sharkey / Los Angeles Times)
Shaquille O’Neal was signed as a free agent in 1996. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks for Brian Winters, Junior Bridgeman, Dave Meyers and Elmore Smith in 1975. (Carol Francavilla / Associated Press)
Kobe Bryant was acquired from the Charlotte Hornets for Vlade Divac in 1996. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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The Lakers received three compensatory draft picks after New Orleans signed free-agent guard Gail Goodrich in 1976. One of the picks was New Orleans’ first-round selection in 1979, and the Lakers used it to take Magic Johnson No. 1 overall after New Orleans had the worst record in 1978-79. (Tammy Lechner / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers owner Jerry Buss. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)