Clay Johnson, a fifth-round draft choice in 1978, played for the Lakers during the 1981-82 season, averaging 3.6 points in seven games. He contributed to the team's NBA championship that year.
Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.
During the Lakers' 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.
Clay Johnson was a fifth-round draft choice by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1978 after two years at the University of Missouri, but he took a detour before making his NBA debut. He first spent three years in the Continental Basketball Association with the Hawaii/Billings Volcanoes before the Lakers signed him prior to the 1981-82 season.
He was waived that October, only to be brought back late in the regular season. The 6-foot-4 guard appeared in seven regular-season games with the Lakers that year and averaged 3.6 points and 9.3 minutes a game, and he got spot duty during the playoffs as they won the NBA championship.
Johnson stuck with the Lakers throughout the 1982-83 campaign before ending his NBA career with the Seattle SuperSonics the following year. In three seasons in the league, he averaged 2.8 points in 8.6 minutes a game, and while with Los Angeles, he registered 3.1 points in 9.3 minutes per contest.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 34 — Clay Johnson
Clay Johnson averaged 3.6 points and played 9.3 minutes per game in seven regular-season games with the Lakers.
Clay Johnson joined the Los Angeles Lakers prior to the 1981-82 season after spending three years in the Continental Basketball Association.
A total of 506 players have suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers since their founding in 1946.
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