The Los Angeles Lakers announced that, in collaboration with book publisher TASCHEN, they are releasing “Lakers: An Official History of the Purple & Gold,” the definitive authorized history book of the franchise.
The 528-page book spans seven decades of Laker history on and off the court, exploring stories of fandom, basketball culture and the franchise’s connections to Hollywood. The book includes a foreword by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, an afterword by Phil Jackson and an introduction by Lakers governor Jeanie Buss.
“The Lakers are a global phenomenon,” said Buss in a statememt. “No other team has turned athletes into icons or left a legacy quite like the Lakers. Players, coaches and fans have made this franchise about so much more than a game – they’ve created an unforgettable show that has been playing for 79 seasons. This book is a love letter to everyone who has been part of that story.”
A first look inside – Lakers x Taschen 📚
Available now: https://t.co/nJWLUXbPbk pic.twitter.com/ffC6fFRRko
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 22, 2026
Essays in the book are penned by Magic Johnson, Michael Cooper, Shaquille O’Neal, Pau Gasol, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Pat Riley, Claire Rothman, Linda Rambis, Dyan Cannon, Paula Abdul, Flea, Jack Nicholson, Lou Adler and Ray Nicholson, with additional text by Michael Arkush and Damion Thomas.
Special layouts include a four-page gatefold showcasing the Lakers 17 championship rings, a four-page gatefold chronicling the evolution of Lakers uniforms and a four-page spread featuring the franchise’s retired numbers. Additional materials include historic promotional pieces, play diagrams and postgame analysis notes.
The book spans all the way back to the franchise’s origins in Minneapolis, their move to Los Angeles and the dynasties that have defined the purple and gold.
Lakers: An Official History of the Purple and Gold is available now at the Lakers Team Shop, the Team LA store at Crypto.com Arena, LakersStore.com, TASCHEN.com and TASCHEN stores. It will also be available on Oct. 1 at select retailers worldwide.
Lakers unveil bobbleheads for 2026-27 season
The Lakers unveiled a first look at three bobbleheads for franchise legends Norm Nixon, Kurt Rambis and Paul Westhead, which will be given out to fans at three separate games this upcoming season.
The first giveaway will be the Nixon bobblehead on Dec. 14 when the Lakers host the New Orleans Pelicans. Nixon won titles with the Lakers in 1980 and 1982 and led the team in scoring in the latter playoffs in 1982.
The Westhead bobblehead will be given away on Jan. 14 when the Lakers host the Orlando Magic. Westhead took over as Lakers coach during the 1980 season, leading the team to a championship that year.
The Rambis bobblehead giveaway will take place on March 17 when the Lakers host the Phoenix Suns. Rambis spent nine years as a player with the Lakers, winning four NBA Championships in 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988. He also won two more as an assistant under Phil Jackson in 2002 and 2009.
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