Lakers' retired numbers: How many numbers have the Lakers retired?

When it comes to NBA teams, the Los Angeles Lakers are up there with the best of them. They have some of the best basketball players of all time on their roster, and their 17 NBA titles are the second most in league history. The Lakers retired numbers of numerous players, and their careers are honoured as a mark of respect and appreciation.

Every player whose number has been retired by the Los Angeles Lakers did an outstanding job contributing to the team's achievements and has left an everlasting impact on the club. Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, and Jerry West were all players whose numbers were retired for the Lakers during the organisation's early years in Los Angeles. These three men contributed significantly to the Lakers' rise as a championship contender. Below is a list of all Lakers' retired numbers.

How many Lakers numbers are retired?

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Wilt Chamberlain (#13), Elgin Baylor (#22), Gail Goodrich (#25), Magic Johnson (#32), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (#33), Shaquille O'Neal (#34), James Worthy (#42), Jerry West (#44), Jamaal Wilkes (#52), and Kobe Bryant (#8 and #24) are among the Lakers' ten players whose jersey numbers have been retired. Banners for each player proudly feature his name and jersey number in the team's traditional gold.

1. Kobe Bryant (No.8 and 24)

Kobe switched from #8 to #24, winning two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. In 639 games while wearing No. 24, the Black Mamba scored an average of 26. At the end of his NBA career, Bryant averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. He made the All-Star team 18 times and was the regular-season MVP once. It is worth noting that Kobe Bryant is the only player to have two numbers retired, as he wore the numbers 8 and 24 during his career with the team.

2. Wilt Chamberlain (No.13)

Wilt Chamberlain was a legendary basketballer who played for the LA Lakers from 1968 to 1973. During his time with the club, Chamberlain helped lead the team to an NBA championship in 1972. The club retired his jersey number 13 as a tribute to his contributions to the franchise.

Wilt spent five years with the club, during which he played 339 games and averaged 17.7 points and 19.2 rebounds. In 1972, he was a member of the championship team that swept the New York Knicks in five games. One of the best centres in NBA history, Chamberlain was selected to four All-Star teams while playing for the Lakers.

3. Elgin Baylor (No.22)

Elgin Baylor was a phenomenal basketballer who played for the Lakers from 1958 to 1971. Baylor was an 11-time NBA All-Star, crucial in establishing the club's success. Recognizing his impact and contributions to the team, the team retired his jersey number 22.

Baylor was one of the best players in NBA history, averaging 27.4 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 846 games. He was the most valuable player at the 1959 All-Star Game and the 1959 Rookie of the Year. Baylor was unable to capture a title, unfortunately. At the end of his career, he had made the All-Star team eleven times, earning him a spot in the Hall of Fame that year (1977).

4. Gail Goodrich (No. 25)

Gail Goodrich was a talented basketballer who played for the Lakers from 1965 to 1968 and from 1970 to 1976. He played a vital role in the club's success during 1971-1972, when they won an NBA championship. As a tribute to his contributions to the franchise, the Lakers retired his jersey number 25.

For nine years, Goodrich suited up for the club. He won an NBA championship in 1972, averaging 19.0 points per game while being selected to four All-Star teams. In 1996, Gail was honoured by being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

5. Magic Johnson (No. 32)

Magic Johnson, whose real name is Earvin Johnson Jr., is considered one of the greatest basketballers ever. He played for the Lakers from 1979 to 1991 and made a brief comeback in the 1995-1996 season. He won five NBA championships with the club and was a 12-time NBA All-Star. Magic's jersey number 32 is among the LA Lakers' retired numbers.

During his storied stint with the club, Magic won three MVPs in the regular season, five championships, three Finals MVPs, and was selected to 12 All-Star games. He averaged 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game. Johnson entered the Hall of Fame that year.

6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (No. 33)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, formerly Lew Alcindor, is considered one of the greatest basketballers ever. He played for the club from 1975 to 1989 and won five NBA championships with the team. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and a 19-time NBA All-Star. In recognition of his remarkable contributions to the team, they retired his jersey number 33.

Kareem spent 14 years with the club, putting up career averages of 22.1 points and 9.4 rebounds. Legendary NBA scorer Michael Jordan won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. In 1995, Abdul-Jabbar became a member of basketball's Hall of Fame.

7. Shaquille O’Neal (No. 34)

Shaquille O'Neal, often referred to as Shaq, is a legendary basketball player who played for the Lakers from 1996 to 2004. While with the club, O'Neal formed a dominant duo with Kobe Bryant and helped lead the team to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002. Shaq's jersey number 34 is among the retired Los Angeles Lakers numbers.

O'Neal, arguably the greatest player in NBA history, averaged 27.0 points and 11.8 rebounds per game with the club. The Diesel led the club to three titles, three Finals MVP awards, and one MVP award for the regular season. In 2016, Shaq received a Hall of Fame induction.

8. James Worthy (No. 42)

James Worthy, also known as "Big Game James," played for the Lakers from 1982 to 1994. He was crucial in the Showtime era alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He won three NBA championships with the club and was named the NBA Finals MVP in 1988. The club retired his jersey number 42 for his significant contributions to the franchise.

Notably, "Big Game James" never played for another team. On average, he contributed 17.6 points, 5.1 boards, and 3.1 dimes a game. Worthy was the most valuable player in the 1988 NBA Finals and won three championships with the club. The seven-time All-Star from North Carolina was finally recognised by baseball in 2003 when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

9. Jerry West (No. 44)

Jerry West, also known as "Mr. Clutch," is a basketball legend for the Lakers from 1960 to 1974. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest guards in NBA history. West was a 14-time NBA All-Star and played a crucial role in leading the club to the NBA Finals multiple times. The club retired his jersey number 44 to honour his remarkable career and enduring legacy with the team.

During his legendary stint with the club, "The Logo" averaged 27.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. In 1972, West led Los Angeles to victory. He also has the record as the only player in NBA history to win Finals MVP while on the losing side. West was the Finals Most Valuable Player in 1969. West made the All-Star team 14 times before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

10. Jamaal Wilkes (No. 52)

The Los Angeles Lakers have retired the number 52 jersey in honour of Jamaal Wilkes. Jamaal Wilkes played for the club from 1977 to 1985 and was integral to the team's success during the Showtime era. Wilkes helped the club win four NBA championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, and 1988. The club retired his jersey number 52 to tribute to his contributions and impact on the franchise.

In eight seasons with the club, Wilkes averaged 18.4 points per game. With the Los Angeles Dodgers, he was a two-time All-Star and won two championships. In 2012, Wilkes was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Retiring a player's jersey number is a significant honour reserved for only the most exceptional players in a team's history. The Lakers' decision to retire ten jersey numbers is a testament to the remarkable talent and success of the players who have worn the purple and gold over the years. Lakers' retired numbers serve as a reminder of the greatness that has defined the Lakers franchise and will continue to inspire future generations of basketball players and fans.

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