Former Baby Lakers Clash in NBA Finals — One Will Walk Away a Champion
No matter who wins the 2025 NBA Finals, a former Baby Laker is guaranteed to raise the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
With the Oklahoma City Thunder facing off against the Indiana Pacers, two ex-Lakers — Alex Caruso and Thomas Bryant — are on the brink of another title. Caruso, now a key piece for the Thunder, built his name in Los Angeles as a gritty, defensive-minded guard. During his four seasons with the Lakers, Caruso became a fan favorite thanks to his hustle, IQ, and impact on the defensive end. After stops in Chicago and now OKC, he’s looking to add a second championship to his résumé following his 2020 title run with L.A.
On the other side, Bryant represents Indiana. The big man began his NBA journey with the Lakers, spending his rookie season in purple and gold. Though he didn’t stay long, he’s carved out a solid role as a dependable backup center across the league. Bryant already has one ring, earned with the Nuggets in 2023, and now finds himself back in the Finals, this time as part of the Pacers’ surprising postseason run.
While Lakers fans won’t see their team in the championship this year, there’s still a silver lining: either Caruso or Bryant — both products of the Lakers’ player development system — will be crowned a champion. For the purple and gold faithful, it’s a small but meaningful consolation to see a former Baby Laker return to the NBA’s biggest stage and come out on top.
