The Minneapolis Lakers history tells the story of a legendary team that laid the foundation for modern NBA success. Known for dominating the league in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team featured iconic players and innovative strategies that built one of the greatest dynasties in professional basketball history.
Established
1947
City
Minneapolis – Los Angeles
League History
1949 – Present / National Basketball Association
1948 – 1949 / Basketball Association of America
1947 – 1948 / National Basketball League
Team History
1960 – Present / Los Angeles Lakers
1947 – 1948, 1948 – 1960 / Minneapolis Lakers
Nickname
Lakers – The Minneapolis Lakers are among the most iconic teams in the history of the NBA. As a sports fan, you may already know they were the first team to win five championships and have produced some of basketball's greatest players. But do you know how they got their nickname?
Minneapolis Lakers Origin
It all started when owner Bob Short moved them from Detroit to Minneapolis in 1947. He wanted something catchy to represent his new city and came up with "Lakers" as a reference to Minnesota's 10,000 lakes!
The name was an instant hit with fans and has stuck ever since - even after moving again in 1960 from Minnesota back home to Los Angeles, where it remains today as part of the storied franchise we now call the Los Angeles Lakers.
The unique moniker has become synonymous with success; this team has won 16 championships (second only behind Boston). It also serves as a reminder for those who don't live there: no matter where life takes us or what challenges come our way -- just like those 10,000 lakes -- we can always find our way back home!
Championship
NBA Championships 5
2010, 2009, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1988, 1987, 1985, 1982, 1980, 1972, 1954, 1953, 1952, 1950, 1949
Arena
2000 – Present / Staples Arena
1967 – 1999 / The “Fabulous” Forum
1960 – 1967 / Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
*Minneapolis*
1947 – 1960 / Minneapolis Auditorium
Owner
2025 - Present / Mark Walter
2013 – 2025 / Buss Family Trust
1979 – 2013 / Jerry Buss
1965 – 1979 / Jack Kent Cooke
1957 – 1965 / Bob Short
1948 – 1957 / Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen
- 1947
- 1947
- 1959
- 1960
-
Lakers Formation
In the National Basketball League a fledgling professional league based in the Midwest the first year Minneapolis Lakers benefit when another rival league known as the Professional Basketball League of America folds. The expansion Lakers who already had a solid roster with forward Jim Pollard and playmaker Herm Schaefer added Center George Mikan who quickly became the most dominant player ... -
Drafted George Mikan
As the Gems had recorded by far the worst record in the NBL, the Lakers had the first pick in the 1947 Professional Basketball League of America dispersal draft, which they used to select George Mikan, later to become one of the greatest centers of his time. With Mikan, new coach John Kundla and an infusion of former University of ... -
Elgin Baylor Number 1 pick
The last place, however, meant the first pick in the draft, and the Lakers chose wisely, picking Elgin Baylor, who went on to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award after averaging 24.9 points per game and 15.0 rebounds per game. In 1959, Baylor and Mikkelsen were able to lead the team past their recent nemesis, the Hawks, and ... -
Move to LA
In 1958, the Brooklyn Dodgers of Major League Baseball moved to Los Angeles and quickly became a huge financial success. Short did not fail to notice this. After considering moves to Chicago and San Francisco, he decided to move the franchise to Los Angeles prior to the 1961 season, making the Lakers the NBA’s first West Coast team. The Lakers ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Minneapolis Lakers History
The Minneapolis Lakers history begins with their founding in 1947 as part of the National Basketball League before joining the BAA, which later merged into the NBA. This team quickly became a powerhouse, shaping professional basketball and earning a reputation as one of the most successful franchises in league history. The Minneapolis Lakers basketball team remains a key chapter of the Lakers’ legacy.
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the team dominated the late 1940s and early 1950s behind Hall-of-Famer George Mikan. Under coach John Kundla, the Minneapolis Lakers basketball dynasty won five championships between 1949 and 1954. Key players such as Vern Mikkelsen, Slater Martin, and Jim Pollard contributed to this golden era. Their fast-break offense and strong defense helped revolutionize the league.
The franchise moved to Los Angeles in 1960 due to financial struggles but kept its winning tradition alive. Before the move, the Minneapolis Lakers history already included multiple playoff appearances and titles, cementing their place as one of the NBA’s original dynasties. The relocation marked the beginning of a new chapter with future stars like Elgin Baylor and Jerry West leading the team.
Lakers Achievements
Achievements define the Minneapolis Lakers history. They captured five championships in Minneapolis, setting a standard for excellence that carried into Los Angeles. With Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers won five more championships in the 1980s. Kobe Bryant later added five titles between 2000 and 2010, extending the dynasty’s legacy.
The Minneapolis Lakers basketball era laid the foundation for today’s Lakers success. Those early years turned the team into a model of greatness, inspiring future generations. Their championships in Minneapolis remain a cornerstone of NBA history, making the franchise one of the most iconic and celebrated in all of professional sports.
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Retired Number
8 / Kobe Bryant
13 / Wilt Chamberlain
22 / Elgin Baylor
24 / Kobe Bryant
25 / Gail Goodrich
32 / Magic Johnson
33 / Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
34 / Shaquille O’Neal
42 / James Worthy
44 / Jerry West
52 / Jamal Wilkes
MIC / Chick Hearn
*Blue is this team’s history