As the Los Angeles Lakers celebrated their 80th season, it's a perfect time to reflect on the myriad of players who have donned their iconic jersey. From their beginnings as the Detroit Gems in 1946 to their current status as a basketball powerhouse, the Lakers have seen a diverse array of talent, from the forgettable to the legendary.
One such player is Tracy Murray, a sharpshooter who made his mark in the NBA as a reliable 3-point specialist. Hailing from Glendora in the San Gabriel Valley, Murray was a scoring machine in high school, leading the nation with an astounding 44.3 points per game. At UCLA, he continued to impress, averaging 18.3 points and earning First-team All-Pac-10 honors twice.
Drafted 18th overall in the 1992 NBA Draft, Murray carved out a niche for himself across several teams. His journey brought him to the Lakers in 2002, when they traded Lindsey Hunter, Chris Jeffries, and a second-round pick to the Toronto Raptors for Murray, the draft rights to Kareem Rush, and a pick that would become Luke Walton.
During the 2002-03 season, Murray suited up for 31 games with the Lakers, averaging two points and 0.7 rebounds in just over six minutes per game. Unfortunately, his renowned shooting touch faltered, as he hit only 21.1% from beyond the arc, a stark contrast to his career average of 39.1% over his first ten seasons.
Murray's NBA career concluded with the Portland Trail Blazers, wrapping up with a solid nine points per game average across 18.4 minutes. His basketball journey didn't end there, though.
He took his talents overseas to Greece and France before transitioning into coaching. By the 2015-16 season, Murray found himself back with the Lakers, this time as an assistant coach under Byron Scott, continuing to contribute to the game he loves.
Tracy Murray's story is a testament to the varied paths players can take in the NBA, and his legacy is part of the rich tapestry that is Lakers history.