Los Angeles Lakers: 25 Best Players To Play For The Lakers
By Phil Watson
20. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Veteran free agent, July 11, 1977.. SF. 1977-85. Jamaal Wilkes. 21. player
The Los Angeles Lakers added a former Rookie of the Year and All-Star to the mix when they signed veteran free agent Jamaal Wilkes in July 1977, giving up a first-round pick in 1978 as well as cash to the Golden State Warriors as compensation.
The Lakers never complained about what they gave up, as Wilkes was a two-time All-Star in L.A. and helped the club to four NBA Finals and two titles.
He averaged 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 42 minutes per game, shooting .467/—/14-for-17 in a six-game triumph over the
in the 1980 NBA Finals.
Against the 76ers again in 1982, Wilkes averaged 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 39 minutes per game, shooting .435/—/.750 in another six-game win.
He put up 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, two steals, 1.8 assists and 1.3 blocks in 39.3 minutes per game, shooting .461/0-for-1/4-for-7 in a four-game sweep at the hands of Philadelphia in the 1983 NBA Finals.
As a reserve against the Boston Celtics in 1984, Wilkes averaged 4.6 points and 1.9 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game, shooting .448/—/6-for-8 in a seven-game loss.
He did not play in the 1985 playoffs because of an injury and was waived in August 1985.
In eight seasons in Los Angeles, Wilkes averaged 18.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.5 minutes per game, shooting .516/.122/.754.
Wilkes was the 11th overall pick out of UCLA by the Warriors in the 1974 NBA Draft, earning Rookie of the Year honors while helping Golden State to the NBA title in 1974-75. He was also an All-Star in 1976 and a two-time All-Defensive selection with the Warriors.
In September 1985, he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, retiring after being waived in December of the same year.
Wilkes was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
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