The team also signed free agent Isaiah Rider, who was released by the Atlanta Hawks during the previous season due to off the court troubles,[6][7][8][9] and signed Greg Foster, who had two NBA Finals appearances with the Utah Jazz.
[21][22][23] O’Neal averaged 28.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while Bryant averaged 28.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team.
[25] Both O'Neal and Bryant were also selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, as O'Neal finished in third place in Most Valuable Player voting with 7 first-place votes, while Bryant finished in ninth place.
[26][27][28][29][30] In the playoffs, the Lakers swept the Portland Trail Blazers in three straight games in the Western Conference First Round,[31][32][33][34] swept the 3rd-seeded Kings in four straight games in the Western Conference Semi-finals,[35][36][37][38] then swept the top–seeded San Antonio Spurs also in four straight games in the Western Conference Finals.
[51] Following the season, Grant re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Orlando Magic,[52][53][54] while Rider signed with the Denver Nuggets,[55][56] Tyronn Lue signed with the Washington Wizards,[57][58] Foster was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks,[59][60][61] and Harper retired.