The Los Angeles Lakers have lost another member of their family way too early. Elden Campbell , the former Los Angeles Lakers center who won the NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, died at the age of 57. He died of unexplained causes.



For admirers, his death feels personal. Campbell was more than simply a Laker; he was one of their own.
He has been named to the Southern California Basketball Hall of Fame's 2025 class. He was also honored in Anaheim, California, on Sunday, May 4, 2025.



Elden Campbell left a lasting legacy as a calm and commanding Los Angeles Lakers legend

Elden Campbell, the player who joined Lakers before settling into a 15-year old career, died at the age of 57. Byron Scott told the Los Angeles Times after hearing of Elden Campbell's death:



"I remember his attitude. That's why we nicknamed him 'Easy E'. He was so calm, nothing sped him up. He took his time. He was just calm. He was a good guy. I loved Easy, man.”



Campbell established himself as a reliable force in Los Angeles, scoring over 15 points per game during the 1996-97 season. He was dealt to the Charlotte Hornets in 1999, when he filled out the stat sheet and produced some of his best numbers. He was also inducted into the SoCal Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this year.










Elden Campbell averaged 14.9 points per game with the Lakers in 1996-97, playing alongside Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. Campbell's greatest season was with the Charlotte Hornets, where he averaged 15.3 points and 9.4 rebounds.



He made more than $69 million during his 15-year NBA career, averaging 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds. Campbell was drafted 27th overall in 1990 by the team he grew up rooting for, and he became a presence in Los Angeles at a period of transition.



Exploring Elden Campbell's career as the legend died an untimely death

Campbell was not spectacular, but he was dependable and consistent. His game flowed with ease, making the difficult look simple. He played for the Lakers for 8 1/2 seasons, averaging nearly 15 points in 1996-97 alongside a young Kobe Bryant and freshly arrived Shaquille O'Neal.



The 6 foot-11 Campbell, who was drafted by the Lakers in the first round from Clemson in 1990, had a career average of 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds. He won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, defeating the Lakers. He was also recognized for his seemingly effortless style of play, as well as his calm and easygoing demeanor.





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