Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat players: who played for both
Who played for both the Lakers and Heat?
37 players played for both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat between 1988–89 and 2025–26, including Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, Gary Payton and Lamar Odom. 21 of them played for the Lakers first and 16 for the Heat first.
Did you know?
- Billy Thompson is the earliest on this list to complete the pair: Lakers first, then the Heat from 1988–89.
- Thomas Bryant is the most recent: Lakers first, then the Heat from 2023–24.
- Shaquille O'Neal played the most seasons across the two: 8 for the Lakers and 4 for the Heat.
- 8 of them had two or more separate spells with one of the teams, such as Eddie Jones.
- Most common positions on this list: PF (10), SF (9), SG (9), PG (5).
How many can you name?
Name players who played for both the Lakers and the Heat. The surname is enough. 0 / 37
All 37 players, most seasons with the two first
| Player | Pos | Lakers | Heat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaquille O'Neal | C | 1996–2004 (8 s) | 2004–2008 (4 s) |
| LeBron James | SF/PF | 2018–2026 (8 s) | 2010–2014 (4 s) |
| Eddie Jones | SG/SF | 1994–1999 (5 s) | 2000–2005, 2006–07 (6 s) |
| A.C. Green | PF/SF | 1985–1993, 1999–00 (9 s) | 2000–01 (1 s) |
| Lamar Odom | PF/SF | 2004–2011 (7 s) | 2003–04 (1 s) |
| Glen Rice | SF | 1998–2000 (2 s) | 1989–1995 (6 s) |
| Gabe Vincent | PG | 2023–2026 (3 s) | 2019–2023 (4 s) |
| Brian Shaw | PG/SG | 1999–2003 (4 s) | 1991–1994 (3 s) |
| Tony Smith | SG/PG | 1990–1995 (5 s) | 1995–96 (1 s) |
| Michael Beasley | PF/SF | 2018–19 (1 s) | 2008–2010, 2013–2015 (4 s) |
| Kendrick Nunn | SG | 2021–2023 (2 s) | 2018–2021 (3 s) |
| Dion Waiters | SG | 2019–20 (1 s) | 2016–2020 (4 s) |
| Brian Grant | PF/C | 2004–05 (1 s) | 2000–2004 (4 s) |
| Wayne Ellington | SG | 2014–15, 2021–22 (2 s) | 2016–2019 (3 s) |
| Billy Thompson | SF | 1986–1988 (2 s) | 1988–1991 (3 s) |
| Luol Deng OBE | SF/PF | 2016–2018 (2 s) | 2014–2016 (2 s) |
| Cedric Ceballos | SF | 1994–1997 (3 s) | 2000–01 (1 s) |
| John Salley | PF/C | 1999–00 (1 s) | 1992–1995 (3 s) |
| Shannon Brown | SG | 2008–2011 (3 s) | 2014–15 (1 s) |
| Trevor Ariza | SF | 2007–2009, 2021–22 (3 s) | 2020–21 (1 s) |
| Markieff Morris | PF | 2019–2021, 2024–25 (3 s) | 2021–22 (1 s) |
| Ronny Turiaf | C | 2005–2008 (3 s) | 2011–12 (1 s) |
| Thomas Bryant | C/PF | 2017–18, 2022–23 (2 s) | 2023–2025 (2 s) |
| Josh McRoberts | PF | 2011–12 (1 s) | 2014–2017 (3 s) |
| Gary Payton | PG | 2003–04 (1 s) | 2005–2007 (2 s) |
| Caron Butler | SF | 2004–05 (1 s) | 2002–2004 (2 s) |
| Avery Bradley | SG/PG | 2019–20, 2021–22 (2 s) | 2020–21 (1 s) |
| Jason Kapono | SF | 2011–12 (1 s) | 2005–2007 (2 s) |
| Smush Parker | PG/SG | 2005–2007 (2 s) | 2007–08 (1 s) |
| Samaki Walker | PF/C | 2001–2003 (2 s) | 2003–04 (1 s) |
| Rory Sparrow | PG | 1991–92 (1 s) | 1988–1990 (2 s) |
| Derrick Williams | PF | 2017–18 (1 s) | 2016–17 (1 s) |
| Jim Jackson | SG/SF | 2005–06 (1 s) | 2001–02 (1 s) |
| Cole Swider | PF/SF | 2022–23 (1 s) | 2023–24 (1 s) |
| Danny Schayes | C/PF | 1993–94 (1 s) | 1995–96 (1 s) |
| Shawne Williams | SF/PF | 2013–14 (1 s) | 2014–15 (1 s) |
| Milt Wagner | SG/PG | 1987–88 (1 s) | 1990–91 (1 s) |
From English Wikipedia's player infoboxes (CC BY-SA 4.0), BAA/NBA seasons 1946–47 to 2025–26. A season counts when the player's infobox lists it for the franchise; ABA seasons do not count.Lakers seasons include the Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1960).
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Questions
How many players have played for both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat?
37, from 1988–89 to 2025–26, including Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, Gary Payton and Lamar Odom. A player counts when his Wikipedia infobox lists at least one NBA season with each franchise.
Who was the first player on this list to play for both?
Billy Thompson: Los Angeles Lakers first, then the Miami Heat from 1988–89.
Who has played for both recently?
LeBron James, Gabe Vincent, Markieff Morris and Thomas Bryant, with a season for one of the two in 2024–25 or 2025–26.
Does a player count if the team has moved or changed its name?
Yes. Seasons count for today's franchise: every old name and city is linked to the club that carries its history today. Lakers seasons include the Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1960).
Careers from English Wikipedia's player infoboxes (CC BY-SA 4.0); player ids from Wikidata (CC0). Team logos are trademarks of their respective teams; AllStar Grid is not affiliated with the NBA or any team. Logos via TheSportsDB. Credits