[1] During the off-season, the Lakers signed free agents Rick Fox,[2][3][4] and three-point specialist Jon Barry.
O'Neal averaged 28.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while Eddie Jones averaged 16.9 points and 2.0 steals per game, led the Lakers with 143 three-point field goals, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and second-year guard Kobe Bryant emerged as a star in his second season, playing an increased role as the team's sixth man, averaging 15.4 points per game off the bench.
[31][32] In the playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 3–1 in the Western Conference First Round for the second consecutive year,[35][36][37][38] then after losing Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-finals to the 2nd–seeded SuperSonics, 106–92 at Seattle,[39][40][41] the Lakers would win the next four games, thus the series.
[50][51][52][53][54] Following the season, Van Exel was traded to the Denver Nuggets after feuding with head coach Del Harris,[55][56][57][58] and Barry signed as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings.
[59][60] Roster Last transaction: October 20, 1997 NOTE: Please write the players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.