Los Angeles Lakers: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

10. Derek Fisher (PG) — No. 24 pick in 1996 NBA Draft

Career stats (as a Laker): 915 GP, 7.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.1 STL, 0.1 BLK, 1.1 TOV, 40.2 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 79.9 FT%

Leading us off, we have a player most basketball fans will remember from the elite Lakers’ squads of the new millennium, Derek Fisher.

Despite lacking a surplus of basketball ability or overall athleticism, the lefty point guard still enjoyed an impressive near-20 year career, suiting up for five different franchises along the way. But, obviously, he’s most remembered for those extended stints in Los Angeles.

Fisher gets the nod on our list for one simple reason: he was a pivotal contributor on five of the Lakers’ 15 championship teams. He was far from a star, but being a dependable role player holds a ton of value, as well.

Plus, it’s not like he was just a Rudy-type figure, either; with the stakes at their highest, he was pretty damn clutch, too.

Furthermore, during the Lakers’ two most recent title seasons, Fisher was one of the team’s most important players. In 2008-09, the Lakers were +7.5-points per 100 possessions with him on the floor; for 2009-10, that number was +6.4 points per 100 possessions. Impressive metrics, especially considering he averaged fewer than 30 minutes nightly in either campaign.

It’s entirely possible we may underrate Fisher these days due to some of the…strange situations he’s found himself in after his playing career ended. But he was an excellent defender, knocked down the three-ball at an above-average rate and was never afraid of the big shot.

If anyone still disagrees with his place on this ranking even after all that evidence, I can do nothing else but ask you to do one thing: Count the rings.