Magic Johnson is second on the Lakers’ all-time total steals list with 1,724 career steals.

The Los Angeles Lakers have had several talented defenders suit up in the purple and gold throughout their 78 years in the NBA. This article will dig into the greatest steals seasons in franchise history, from Magic Johnson to Eddie Jones. Note that steals did not become an official NBA stat until the 1973-74 season.

Magic Johnson – 1981, 3.4 SPG

During his sophomore campaign in 1980-81, Johnson averaged 21.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 8.6 assists and a league-leading 3.4 steals per game in 37 regular-season appearances. He finished 11th in the MVP race as a 21-year-old, but due to him missing more than half the year, Magic was not eligible for any other awards/accolades. Aside from his final season in the NBA in 1995-96, this marked the only other one in which ‘E.J. the Deejay’ did not earn an All-NBA or All-Star nomination throughout his legendary 13-year career.

Magic Johnson – 1982, 2.7 SPG

A year later, Johnson suited up for 78 contests (77 starts) en route to averages of 18.6 points, 9.6 boards and 9.5 assists while leading the NBA in steals at 2.7 per game. Magic was rewarded with his first-ever All-NBA (Second Team) selection and made his second All-Star team, and finished eighth in the MVP race. The 208 total steals he collected in 1981-82 are still the most all-time in Lakers franchise history, and he set a personal best mark with nine swipes. In addition to the individual accomplishments, Johnson led L.A. to an NBA championship and took home Finals MVP, achieving both for the second time in just three years.

Norm Nixon – 1979, 2.5 SPG

In 1978-79, a 23-year-old Nixon put up 17.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 9.0 assists and a career-best 2.5 steals per game over 82 starts. The two-time All-Star spent his entire ten-year professional tenure in Los Angeles, playing six seasons with the Lakers and his final four with the Clippers, before officially retiring in 1990. ‘Stormin’ Norman’ was a significant factor in the Lakers’ championship-winning campaigns in 1980 and 1982. Nixon amassed averages of 16.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 7.9 apg and 1.8 spg over 485 total games with the purple and gold.

Magic Johnson – 1980, 2.4 SPG

Johnson’s third entry on this list came during his rookie campaign in 1979-80, fresh off becoming the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers. ‘The Magic Man’ averaged 18.0 points, 7.7 boards, 7.3 assists and 2.4 steals a night across 77 games. He finished second behind Larry Bird in the Rookie of the Year vote and made his first All-Star appearance. Over the course of his 13 seasons in L.A., from 1979-80 to 1995-96, Johnson posted 19.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.9 spg, and an all-time record 11.2 apg across 906 appearances. Magic was a 12-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, four-time assist champ, two-time steal champ, a five-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP, three-time league MVP, a Hall of Fame inductee in 2002, and a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.

Eddie Jones – 1997, 2.4 SPG

Jones played his first four and a half seasons as a pro with the Lakers after they made him the tenth overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft. In 1996-97 at age-25, ‘Steady Eddie’ averaged 17.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game across 80 contests, earning him the first of three career All-Star appearances for his efforts. Following his time in L.A., Jones went on to suit up for the Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, Charlotte Hornets and Dallas Mavericks over the course of his 14-year career. Through 314 games (304 starts) as a Laker, ‘E.J.’ compiled averages of 15.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.0 apg and 2.1 spg.