Los Angeles Lakers fans are used to bright lights and superstar power, but the 2025-26 outlook finds the team in a competitive, if not frontrunning, position. With the recent acquisition of Deandre Ayton, the Lakers’ odds to win the upcoming NBA championship have improved, stabilizing at around +1,400 to +1,600 at Betiton Ontario casino and sportsbook and other major operators. This places them solidly in the upper tier of contenders, trailing only Oklahoma City, Denver, Houston, and other franchises with stronger odds.
Despite this solid standing, most experts see the Lakers as part of a crowded Western Conference field rather than a clear favorite. Oklahoma City, coming off its first championship since relocating, remains the team to beat, while the Lakers’ blend of new talent and established stars may require the perfect run to return the championship to Los Angeles. But history shows that genuine contenders can emerge from depth and perseverance—qualities that several often-overlooked Lakers of past and present exemplify.
Michael Cooper: The Defensive Ace
Michael Cooper remains a hallmark of the Lakers’ success in the 1980s, renowned for his defensive intensity and versatility during the team’s “Showtime” era. While Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar garnered headlines, Cooper was often tasked with neutralizing the opponent’s best perimeter threat. Over his 12-year Lakers career, Cooper was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team eight times and won the 1987 Defensive Player of the Year award—remarkably rare for a perimeter defender in any era. The stars sometimes overshadow his role in the five Lakers titles, but insiders and opponents often cite his impact as essential to those championship runs.
Derek Fisher: The Clutch Contributor
Derek Fisher’s Lakers legacy is built not only on five championship rings but on consistent performances in high-pressure situations. While his game never generated flashy individual statistics, Fisher’s leadership and timely shot-making—including the unforgettable 0.4-second game-winner against San Antonio—underscore his value to the franchise. He embraced challenging defensive assignments and served as a stabilizing force in the locker room, bridging eras from the Shaq-Kobe dominance to the Kobe-Gasol championship squads. Fisher’s “intangibles”—leadership, poise, and resilience—set a standard rarely matched in Lakerland.
A.C. Green: The Iron Man
Few players in NBA history embody reliability and professionalism as much as A.C. Green. Known as the “Iron Man” for his record 1,192 consecutive games played, Green was far more than just durable; he brought toughness and steady production to three Lakers championship teams (1987, 1988, 2000). Green’s commitment to defense and rebounding allowed the team’s more celebrated scorers to shine, and his off-court leadership influenced several generations of Lakers teammates. Despite his low-key presence, Green’s impact on winning basketball remains apparent throughout Lakers history.
Lamar Odom: The Swiss Army Knife
Lamar Odom was the quintessential modern hybrid forward, providing the Lakers unmatched versatility during their back-to-back title seasons in 2009 and 2010. Able to defend multiple positions, handle the ball, and score inside and out, Odom sacrificed personal statistics for team success. He captured the 2011 Sixth Man of the Year award, often sparking the Lakers’ second units. Odom’s length, playmaking, and court vision allowed coach Phil Jackson to deploy inventive lineups, making him one of the most adaptable and, perhaps, underappreciated key pieces in recent franchise history.
Rick Fox: The Unsung Glue Guy
Rounding out this list is Rick Fox, whose reliability and two-way play frequently went under the radar during the Lakers’ early-2000s three-peat. Fox wasn’t the most explosive scorer or primary defender. Still, his intelligence, toughness, and willingness to fill gaps—from guarding physical forwards to hitting timely perimeter shots—made him integral to championship chemistry. Fox’s contributions as a “glue guy,” often shadowed by the dynamic play of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, helped create a winning environment on and off the court.
Enduring Value Beyond the Spotlight
When considering Laker greatness, superstar names take the spotlight. Yet, the franchise’s championship pedigree is built just as much on those who embraced less heralded, but critical, roles. The players featured here—Cooper, Fisher, Green, Odom, and Fox—excelled in doing what was necessary, often putting team needs ahead of personal glory. Their collective impact has set examples for current Lakers facing a challenging Western Conference landscape. As the team enters the 2025-26 season with renewed hopes and solid odds, it’s a reminder that unsung heroes can be the difference between contention and triumph.
