Los Angeles Lakers, professional basketball team, one of five teams in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). One of the league's most successful franchises, the Lakers have won 14 championships since the NBA was founded. The team plays at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Originally based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the franchise takes its name from that state's slogan, "Land of 10,000 Lakes." The Minneapolis Lakers joined the National …showed first 75 words of 912 total…

…showed last 75 words of 912 total…Los Angeles added high-profile free agents Gary Payton and Karl Malone to team with stars O'Neal and Bryant. As most expected, the Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals in 2003-04, where they faced the surprising Detroit Pistons. Although the Lakers were heavily favored to win the title, Los Angeles lost the series in five games. After the season the Lakers traded O'Neal to the Miami Heat in exchange for three players and a draft pick.