Elgin Baylor, who also became Rookie of the Year was a No.1 pick of the 1958 NBA draft. In the course of the season, the Lakers career came to a standstill. They became so dejected that they prompted Mikan to come out of his retirement. Though, he was not that energetic, but by the end of the season delivered outstanding scores. The same year, the Lakers moved to California from New York . In 1960, owner Bob Short decided to shift the Lakers to Los Angeles . The same year Jerry West was procured by the team. His procurement and a new home marked another glorious era of the Lakers. In the eight seasons from 1961-62 to 1968-69, the Lakers captured six Western Conference titles but were crushed by the Celtics in the NBA Finals each time. Though they were not the best, but still Jerry became the MVP of the 1968-69 season NBA finals. It is to be noted that he is the only member of a losing team ever to receive this honor.

With the acquisition of Abdul-Jabbar in 1975, the Lakers moved on to create a new era. The roster was made more explosive with the introduction of guards Magic Johnson and Norm Nixon and by forwards Michael Cooper and Jamaal Wilkes. They all retired as the league's top all-time scorer. From 1979-80 to 1987-88, the Lakers five times became the NBA champions. In the late 90s, the Lakers signed superstar center Shaquille O'Neal and traded Divac for guard Kobe Bryant of the Charlotte Hornets. The Lakers hired coach Phil Jackson prior to the 1999-2000 season. Merely in his first year as a coach he headed the Lakers to the NBA title.