Nov 10, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor watches the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Phoenix Suns at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Sad news here as the Lakers announced that Hall of Fame player Elgin Baylor has died of natural causes. He was 86 years old.

Baylor played for the Lakers for his entire professional career, from his rookie season in 1958 (when the franchise was still in Minnesota) until his final season in 1971-72.

The team’s announcement, which includes a statement from Baylor’s wife, Elaine:

Baylor was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1977. After his playing career, he coached the New Orleans Jazz for four seasons in the 1970s, and later became the vice-president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Clippers under Donald Sterling, working in that role from 1986 until 2008.

It’s never a positive to lose someone like this, but Baylor certainly lived one hell of a life.

RIP.

About Jay Rigdon

Jay is a columnist at Awful Announcing. He is not a strong swimmer. He is probably talking to a dog in a silly voice at this very moment.