7 Basketball Players who Played for Lakers and Knicks
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Lakers and the Knicks.
Carmelo Anthony
After a successful college career at Syracuse University, which included a national championship in 2003, Carmelo Anthony was picked third overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA Draft.
In Denver, Anthony became one of the league’s top scorers, leading the Nuggets to multiple playoff berths. His time in Denver culminated in a Western Conference Finals run in 2009. In 2011, he was traded to the New York Knicks, where he continued his scoring prowess and was selected to multiple All-Star games.
Over his career, Anthony has been selected to ten NBA All-Star Games and has been named to the All-NBA Team six times. Internationally, he has won three gold medals with Team USA at the Olympics (2008, 2012, 2016), becoming the team’s all-time leading scorer in the process.
Anthony Key Stats
- All-NBA (Nuggets, Knicks)
- All-Star (Nuggets, Knicks)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Nuggets, Knicks)
Tyson Chandler
Tyson Chandler was renowned for his rebounding and defensive skills. Drafted straight out of high school as the second overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2001 NBA draft, Chandler was immediately traded to the Chicago Bulls, where he spent his first five seasons.
He moved to the Dallas Mavericks in 2010, where he won the NBA Championship in 2011. His exceptional performance earned him the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award the following season.
Throughout his career, Chandler played for several NBA teams (8 in total) including the Knicks, Suns, Lakers and Rockets. Known for his tenacity on defense and ability to protect the rim, he also had significant success on the international stage, winning a gold medal with Team USA in the 2012 London Olympics.
Chandler Key Stats
- All-NBA (Knicks)
- All-Star (Knicks)
- NBA Championship (Mavericks)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Pelicans, Knicks, Mavericks, Suns)
Wesley Matthews
Undrafted out of Marquette University in 2009, Wesley Matthews earned a roster spot with the Utah Jazz, making an immediate impact with his play. After a successful stint in Utah, he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers where he solidified his reputation as one of the league’s best 3-and-D players.
He became a critical piece of the Blazers’ backcourt alongside Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, particularly excelling in 3-point shooting. Matthews ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2015, a significant setback, but returned to play for the Mavericks and has since bounced around with different teams.
Despite the various team changes, his consistency as a shooter and defender has remained, offering valuable contributions in the regular season and playoffs.
J.R. Smith
J.R. Smith was drafted straight out of high school by the New Orleans Hornets with the 18th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Over his career, Smith played for several NBA teams including the Nuggets, Knicks, Cavaliers, and Lakers.
His most noteworthy accomplishments came with the Cavaliers, where he was a key player in their 2016 championship run, providing crucial scoring and perimeter defense alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Smith would win another championship with LeBron in 2020 and the Lakers, but in a much more limited role.
Smith’s time in the NBA was marked by high-scoring performances and a streaky shooting style, which earned him both praise and criticism. He was known for his ability to catch fire from three-point range and go on impressive scoring runs.
Metta World Peace
Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 1999 NBA Draft. His tenacious defense and ability to contribute offensively quickly earned him a reputation as one of the league’s top two-way players. In the 2003-04 season with the Pacers he was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Despite his on-court success, World Peace was often in the spotlight for his unpredictable behavior. Most infamously, he was a central figure in the 2004 “Malice at the Palace” incident, a brawl during a game between the Pacers and the Detroit Pistons. This led to a lengthy suspension and affected his public perception.
World Peace later joined the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played a key role in helping the team win the NBA Championship in 2010. His performance in Game 7 of the NBA Finals was particularly crucial, showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
World Peace Key Stats
- All-NBA (Pacers)
- All-Star (Pacers)
- NBA Champ (Lakers)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Pacers, Kings)
Derek Harper
Derek Harper is primarily remembered for his time with the Dallas Mavericks, where he showcased his abilities as a point guard with strong scoring and facilitating skills. Harper spent a decade with the Mavericks from 1983 to 1994.
In 1994, Harper was traded to the Knicks, where he provided essential veteran leadership and helped the team reach the NBA Finals that same year. His robust defense and clutch scoring were integral to the Knicks’ successful playoff run. After his time with the Knicks, Harper had stints with the Magic and Lakers before retiring in 1999.
Throughout his career, he was known for his on-court intelligence, defensive prowess, and scoring ability, ending his career with more than 16,000 points and 6,500 assists.
Harper Key Stats
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Mavericks, Knicks)
DeAndre Jordan
DeAndre Jordan, an NBA center, is best known for his incredible defensive presence and elite rebounding skills. After playing one season at Texas A&M, he was selected in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers.
During his tenure with the Clippers, Jordan, alongside Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, formed a core trio famously known as “Lob City,” renowned for their high-flying alley-oops and fast-paced gameplay. Over the years, Jordan has led the league in rebounding multiple times and earned NBA All-Defensive Team honors.
In addition to the Clippers, he has played for the Mavericks, Nets, Lakers, 76ers and Nuggets. His career has been marked by consistent rim protection, rebounding prowess, and high field goal percentage, mainly from his dunks and close-range shots.
Jordan Key Stats
- All-NBA (Clippers)
- All-Star (Clippers)
- NBA Champ (Nuggets)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Clippers, Mavericks, Knicks, Nets)
