The Trade to Los Angeles: From Milwaukee to Showtime

In 1975, already a champion and Finals MVP in Milwaukee, Kareem requested a move and was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. The deal reshaped the NBA map: Kareem left snowy Milwaukee for sunshine and spotlights.

Early in LA he remained the league's steadiest weapon, but the team was unfinished. The turning point came in 1979: the Lakers took Magic Johnson first overall. A 7'2" elegant center paired with a 6'9" flashy point guard—a "big + playmaker" combo never seen before.

In the 1980 Finals, Magic's legend game at center (Kareem hurt, missed G6) rested on Kareem's dominance in earlier games. Then 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988—five titles, Showtime's pretty fast break sweeping the league. Kareem was the interior anchor of that dynasty.

He proved a superstar past 30 can still fit a new system and win new rings. The trade to LA was the start of Kareem's second spring.

Related Reading

• 1980 NBA MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers)
• 1976 NBA MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers)
• 1977 NBA MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers)
• 1972 NBA MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Milwaukee Bucks)
• 1974 NBA MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Milwaukee Bucks)