Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers were Kobe Bryant's team for his entire 20-year career — five championships, purple and gold, and one of the most storied franchises in basketball. The natural home team for any Kobe collection.

City: Los Angeles
League: NBA Western Conference
Founded: 1947

The Los Angeles Lakers are inseparable from Kobe Bryant’s legacy. Across a 20-year career entirely in purple and gold, he won five NBA championships, made 18 All-Star teams, and became the face of one of basketball’s greatest franchises. The Lakers retired both of his numbers — #8 and #24 — a rare honor that captures the two chapters of his career.

Because Kobe only ever played for the Lakers, every Kobe card is a Lakers card. That makes this franchise the natural anchor for a Mamba collection — from his 1996-97 rookies through his championship runs to his final-season tributes.

Use the player hub and the eBay rails across the site to find live listings for Kobe’s Lakers-era rookies, autographs, and graded cards.

Featured Los Angeles Lakers Players

Player Guide

Kobe Bryant

Shooting Guard

Los Angeles Lakers legend, 5x NBA champion and 18x All-Star — the Black Mamba is one of the most collected athletes in the hobby. Here's the complete overview of collecting his cards, from 1996-97 rookies to modern Panini hits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long did Kobe Bryant play for the Lakers?

His entire 20-year NBA career, from 1996 to 2016 — all with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won five championships in purple and gold and wore both #8 and #24, which the Lakers have retired.

Are Lakers-era Kobe cards more collectible?

Kobe only ever played for the Lakers, so every one of his cards is a Lakers card. Purple-and-gold imagery and championship-era cards are especially beloved by collectors.