Jerry West, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers icon, passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 86.
Known for his prolific 14-year playing career with the Lakers, West became an NBA champion in 1972 and was named to the All-Star team 14 times, establishing himself as one of the premier offensive guards in NBA history.
After retiring as a player, West transitioned to an impressive executive career. He contributed to eight NBA championships, with victories spanning his time with the Lakers (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000) and later with the Golden State Warriors (2015 and 2017). Before his passing, he served as a consultant for the Los Angeles Clippers for the last seven years, from 2017 to 2024.
In a heartfelt tribute, Vanessa Bryant, wife of the late Kobe Bryant, remembered West’s monumental role in Lakers history.
Although she did not make a public statement, she expressed her feelings through a poignant Instagram story, posting a throwback photo of Jerry West and Kobe Bryant from 1996, adorned with two purple and gold hearts—the Lakers colors.
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West’s decision to acquire Kobe Bryant in the 1996 NBA draft was a pivotal moment for the franchise.
At the time, selecting Bryant—a 17-year-old fresh out of high school—was seen as a risky move. However, West was convinced of Bryant’s potential following his impressive pre-draft workouts. In a strategic move, West traded center Vlade Divac to clear cap space and successfully negotiated with the Charlotte Hornets to secure the No. 13 pick used to draft Bryant.
This deal was finalized on July 11, 1996, after the league’s embargo period ended, paving the way for the Lakers to sign Shaquille O’Neal shortly afterward.
Kobe Bryant remained with the Lakers throughout his illustrious 20-year career, during which he won five NBA championships, was named to 15 All-NBA teams, earned 18 All-Star selections, and won the MVP award in 2008.
He retired in 2016 as the all-time leading scorer for Los Angeles with 33,643 career points, cementing his legacy as possibly the greatest player in the team’s history.
Jerry West’s gamble to bring Bryant to the Lakers undeniably shaped the future of the franchise and left a lasting impact on the world of basketball.
