The starting five of former Los Angeles Lakers players who are set to play in the 2025 conference finals.
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most accomplished teams in NBA history. They are only second to the Boston Celtics on the list of most NBA Championships.
Considering they are a lucrative big-market destination, the Purple and Gold have never been short of star power, aside from a few ups and downs over the years.
However, at the same time, the Lakers have also allowed many players to walk. Speaking of which, here are five NBA players who the Lakers allowed to leave in recent history and will now play in the 2025 conference finals.
Alex Caruso is coming on the heels of a terrific seven-game series against the Denver Nuggets as he has emerged as a leader for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Caruso was a member of the Lakers’ 2020 NBA Championship-winning roster. He spent four years with the Purple and Gold.
Stats since leaving LA Lakers: 7.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 3.2 APG
Another talented guard who has become a solid member of the New York Knicks in the 2024-25 NBA season. Josh Hart’s durability and shooting make him a terrific fit with the team.
Hart was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as a part of a huge package that helped the Lakers welcome Anthony Davis to the roster.
Stats since leaving LA Lakers: 11.1 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 3.8 APG
While the rest of the players on the list have played for the Purple and Gold at some point in their careers, McDaniels was drafted by the team in the 2020 NBA Draft.
On the night of the draft, McDaniels was traded to the Thunder and then just a couple of days later, the 28th overall pick was sent to the Timberwolves.
Stats since leaving LA Lakers: 10.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 1.5 APG
Julius Randle is unarguably one of the most talented players in the Western Conference right now. The Lakers drafted him using the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft as he earned the chance to play with Kobe Bryant.
Despite spending four years with the team, the Lakers allowed him to walk as a restricted free agent in 2018. The decision hurt the Lakers in the 2025 playoffs as Randle played a crucial role in eliminating them.
Stats since leaving LA Lakers: 21.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, and 4.4 APG
The Lakers struggled to find a quality center throughout the 2024-25 season. While Thomas Bryant isn’t someone who would instantly make an impact on the roster, he could have been a quality backup option.
After all, that’s what Bryant has done for the Indiana Pacers this season and will now play in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Stats since leaving LA Lakers: 8.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 1.05 APG
