Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.
As the Lakers approach their 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.
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Bryon Russell made a name for himself as a key role player on the Utah Jazz during the 1990s. As a 3-and-D small forward, he helped the Jazz become perennial contenders and reach the NBA Finals during the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons, where they lost to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.
In 2003, the Lakers signed Karl Malone, Utah’s main superstar during that era, as well as Hall of Fame guard Gary Payton. But they were short on depth and supporting players, so they also brought in Russell.
Russell appeared in 72 games and averaged four points and two rebounds in 13.1 minutes a game while shooting 38.4% from 3-point range during the 2003-04 campaign. But he barely got any playing time during the playoffs and mostly had to watch as Los Angeles was slaughtered in five games by the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals.
Russell left in 2004 and spent his final two seasons in the league with the Denver Nuggets. Afterward, he spent two seasons in the American Basketball Association and also played for the Los Angeles Lightning, a team in the Independent Basketball Association.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 9 — Bryon Russell