The rise and fall of Magic Johnson and his Lakers dynasty, including the 30 teammates who helped him win five championships. Timeline runs from the 1975 trade for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Jerry Buss’ 2013 death.
1975
June
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is acquired via trade from the Bucks in exchange for Junior Bridgeman, Dave Meyers, Elmore Smith, and Brian Winters
1976
August
Three first round picks and one second round pick are acquired from the Jazz as compensation for signing unrestricted free agent Gail Goodrich. The 1979 first round pick is eventually used on Magic Johnson
1977
June
Norm Nixon is drafted out of Duquesne with the #22 overall pick
July
Jamaal Wilkes is signed as a restricted free agent, with a first round pick sent to the Warriors as compensation
1978
June
Michael Cooper is drafted out of New Mexico with the #60 overall pick
1979
May
Dr. Jerry Buss purchases the franchise and The Forum from Jack Kent Cooke
June
Jerry West is reassigned within the organization, transitioning from head coach to general manager
Magic Johnson is drafted out of Michigan State with the #1 overall pick
Brad Holland is drafted out of UCLA with the #14 overall pick
July
Jack McKinney is hired as head coach
September
Spencer Haywood is acquired via trade from the Jazz in exchange for Adrian Dantley
October
Jim Chones is acquired via trade from the Cavaliers in exchange for Dave Robisch
Marty Byrnes is signed as a free agent
November
After Jack McKinney suffers a brain injury in a bicycle accident, Paul Westhead is named interim head coach. Pat Riley is named assistant coach
1980
February
Mark Landsberger is acquired via trade from the Bulls in exchange for Ollie Mack
Butch Lee and a first round draft pick (which was eventually used on James Worthy) are acquired from the Cavaliers in exchange for Don Ford and a first round pick
May
The Lakers win the first title of the Showtime era, defeating the 76ers in a thrilling six game NBA Finals. Rookie Magic Johnson is named Finals MVP
Paul Westhead has the interim tag removed from his title, becoming the full time head coach
August
Following his suspension during the 1980 playoffs for alcohol abuse, Spencer Haywood is waived
October
Jim Brewer is acquired via trade from the Trail Blazers in exchange for a second round pick
November
During a win over the Kings, Magic Johnson tears cartilage in his knee, necessitating surgery and sidelining him for over three months
Eddie Jordan is acquired via trade from the Nets in exchange for a first round pick
1981
April
A disjointed and disgruntled Lakers team is upset by the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs
June
Mike McGee is drafted out of Michigan with the #19 overall pick
July
Mitch Kupchak is acquired from the Bullets in exchange for Jim Chones, Brad Holland, a first round pick, and a second round pick
September
Kurt Rambis signs as a free agent
November
Paul Westphal is fired as head coach and replaced by his top assistant, Pat Riley
December
Bob McAdoo is acquired via trade with the Nets, in exchange for a second round pick
1982
April
Clay Johnson is signed as a free agent
June
The Lakers defeat the 76ers in six games in the NBA Finals to clinch their second title of the Magic Johnson era. Johnson is named Finals MVP for the second time
James Worthy is drafted out of North Carolina with the #1 overall pick
1983
May
The Lakers are swept in the NBA Finals by a powerhouse 76ers team
August
Larry Spriggs is signed as a restricted free agent
October
Byron Scott is acquired via trade from the Clippers, along with Swen Nater, in exchange for Norm Nixon, Eddie Jordan, and two second round picks
1984
June
Magic Johnson’s Lakers and Larry Bird’s Celtics face off in the NBA Finals for the first time, with Boston prevailing in seven games
November
Ronnie Lester signs as a free agent
1985
March
Chuck Nevitt signs as a free agent
June
For the first time ever, the Lakers defeat the Celtics in an NBA Finals, winning in six games. It breaks a streak of eight consecutive Boston wins in Finals over Los Angeles. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar becomes the oldest Finals MVP in NBA history, at age 37
A.C. Green is drafted out of Oregon State with the #23 overall pick
August
Jamaal Wilkes is waived, ending an eight-year run with the franchise that included two titles and two All-Star appearances
1986
May
In one of the most shocking upsets in NBA playoffs history, the Lakers are defeated by the Rockets in five games in the Western Conference Finals. It breaks a streak of 12 consecutive Western Conference playoffs series wins for the Lakers
June
Billy Thompson is acquired via trade from the Hawks in exchange for Ken Barlow and Mike McGee
September
Adrian Branch signs as a free agent
Mitch Kupchak retires as a player and accepts a front office role as assistant general manager under Jerry West
October
Wes Matthews signs as a free agent
November
Mike Smrek signs as a free agent
1987
February
Mychal Thompson is acquired via trade from the Trail Blazers in exchange for Frank Brickowski, a first round pick, and a second round pick
April
The Lakers close out the regular season with a franchise record 65 wins. Magic Johnson is named league MVP
June
Magic Johnson is named Finals MVP for the third time as the Lakers defeat the Celtics in six games in the NBA Finals. It’s the third and final Finals matchup between Johnson’s Lakers and Bird’s Celtics, with Los Angeles winning two of three
October
Milt Wagner signs as a free agent
1988
April
Bill Sharman announces that he is retiring from his front office position at the conclusion of the ’88-’89 season. He remained on as a consultant through 1991 before stepping away entirely
June
The Lakers become the first team since the Celtics in 1968 and 1969 to repeat as NBA champions, defeating the Pistons in seven games in the NBA Finals. James Worthy is named Finals MVP
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar announces that the ’88-’89 season will be his last in the NBA
July
Kurt Rambis signs as an unrestricted free agent with the Hornets
December
Owner Jerry Buss makes a landmark deal, selling the naming rights to The Forum to Great Western Bank
1989
June
A banged-up and fatigued Lakers team are swept in the NBA Finals by the Pistons
1990
May
For the first time in nine years, the Lakers fall short of reaching the Western Conference Finals, losing in five games to the Suns in the Conference Semifinals
June
Pat Riley resigns as head coach and is replaced by Mike Dunleavy
August
Michael Cooper is waived, ending his 12-year NBA career, all spent with the Lakers
1991
June
In their eighth and final NBA Finals appearance of the Magic Johnson Showtime era, the Lakers are defeated in five games by the Bulls
October
Mychal Thompson is waived
November
Magic Johnson makes the shocking announcement that he is retiring from basketball after contracting HIV
1993
July
A.C. Green and Byron Scott are released from their contracts. Green subsequently signs with the Suns and Scott with the Pacers
1994
April
For the first time in 15 years, the Lakers fail to make the postseason, finishing the regular season with a 33-49 record
November
James Worthy retires, ending a 12-year career spent entirely with the Lakers
1996
May
Following a brief comeback attempt, Magic Johnson retires for a second time
2000
August
Just a couple months after the Lakers win their first title in 13 years, Jerry West steps down as general manager, citing a difficult relationship with coach Phil Jackson
2013
February
Dr. Jerry Buss passes away at age 80 from cancer. His franchise ownership passes down to his six children equally, with daughter Jeanie taking over his role as team governor
Basketball, Listed 