A Former Laker Is Guaranteed to Win the 2025 NBA Title
No matter who lifts the Larry O’Brien Trophy this June, one thing is certain: a former Los Angeles Laker will be part of the celebration.
As the NBA Conference Finals get underway, each of the four remaining teams features a player who once wore the iconic purple and gold. Their careers have taken different paths, but they all share a common chapter in Los Angeles.
Here’s a look at the four ex-Lakers still in the hunt for a ring, and how they got here:
Julius Randle — Minnesota Timberwolves
Selected 7th overall by the Lakers in the 2014 NBA Draft, Randle was once viewed as a building block for the post-Kobe Bryant era. Despite showing potential, he was ultimately dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the trade that landed Anthony Davis in L.A. Now, nearly a decade later, Randle has become a vital piece of Minnesota’s push for its first-ever championship. A title would be the culmination of years of perseverance and growth since leaving the team that drafted him.
Alex Caruso — Oklahoma City Thunder
Caruso’s rise is one of the league’s most beloved underdog stories. Undrafted out of Texas A&M, he worked his way up through the Lakers’ G-League system to earn a roster spot and later became a defensive cornerstone during their 2020 championship run in the bubble. Now with the Thunder, Caruso continues to bring his trademark intensity to a young and dangerous OKC team. Another championship would further cement his unlikely and inspiring NBA journey.
Josh Hart — New York Knicks
Hart entered the league with the Lakers in 2017 and, like Randle, was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles. While he never became a star in L.A., Hart has developed into one of the NBA’s premier role players — a gritty defender, rebounder, and locker-room leader. His all-out play has been crucial to the Knicks’ deep playoff run. A championship would be a fitting reward for one of the league’s most underrated contributors.
Thomas Bryant — Indiana Pacers
Bryant was a second-round pick by the Lakers in 2017 and made little impact in his rookie season. He later returned to the Lakers in 2022, serving as a steady big man off the bench. Though he already won a title with the Nuggets in 2023 after a midseason trade, Bryant is back in the Finals mix, this time with Indiana. His presence proves that reliable role players still play a big part in championship pursuits.
The Legacy of the Purple and Gold Endures
It’s a bit of irony — the Lakers, led by stars like LeBron James and Luka Dončić, are watching the playoffs from home after an early exit. Still, their influence lingers.
Whether it’s Randle’s revival, Caruso’s grit, Hart’s determination, or Bryant’s steady contributions, one former Laker will soon hoist the trophy. For L.A. fans, it’s a bittersweet reminder that while players may leave the city, their success still traces back to its legacy.
In one way or another, the spirit of the purple and gold will be part of this year’s championship story.
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