Wilt Chamberlain was a force of nature. Honestly, there hasn't been anyone like him since, and there probably won't be again. When people ask who did Wilt Chamberlain play for, they usually expect a short list, maybe a couple of iconic teams. But the journey of "The Big Dipper" through the NBA—and even before the NBA—is a winding road that tells the story of basketball’s growth from a niche sport into a global powerhouse. He didn't just play for teams; he carried entire franchises on his 7'1" frame.
He was a nomad. A giant. A man who scored 100 points in a single game and once averaged over 48 minutes per game in a season. Think about that. There are only 48 minutes in a regulation game. He literally never sat down. But where did he do all this?
The Harlem Globetrotters: The Forgotten Prequel
Before he ever stepped foot on an NBA court, Wilt was a Globetrotter. Most folks forget this part. After leaving the University of Kansas early, he couldn't jump straight into the NBA because of the rules at the time. The league required players to wait until their college class graduated. So, what does a once-in-a-generation talent do for a year? He joins the most famous touring team in the world.
In 1958, Wilt signed with the Harlem Globetrotters for a then-staggering $50,000. That was huge money back then. He spent a year traveling the world, including a historic tour of the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War. Even though he’s remembered for his dominance in the pros, Wilt always said his year with the Globetrotters was his favorite. He loved the entertainment side. He loved the freedom. It shaped how he saw the game—less as a job and more as a spectacle.
The Philadelphia Warriors (1959–1962)
The NBA finally got its hands on him in 1959. Because of a "territorial pick" rule—something that sounds insane today—the Philadelphia Warriors claimed him because he grew up in Philly. They didn't even have to draft him in the traditional sense.
His rookie season was a joke. Not because he was bad, but because he was too good. He averaged 37.6 points and 27 rebounds per game. As a rookie. He won MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same breath. It was during this stint in Philly that the legendary 100-point game happened against the Knicks in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
But things changed. The Warriors moved.
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San Francisco Warriors (1962–1965)
In 1962, the team packed up and headed West. Wilt went with them. This is often the "lost" era of his career for casual fans. He was still putting up video game numbers in the Bay Area, including a season where he averaged 44.8 points per game. Can you imagine a player doing that today? Twitter would melt.
Despite the individual brilliance, the Warriors struggled financially. They had the greatest player on earth, but they couldn't draw enough fans to the Cow Palace. By 1965, the team was hurting for cash, and Wilt’s massive salary was a burden. So, they did the unthinkable. They traded him.
Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968): Coming Home
The Warriors sent Wilt back to his hometown, but to a different team: the 76ers (who had recently moved from Syracuse where they were the Nationals). This is where the narrative around Wilt started to shift. People said he couldn't win the "big one." They said he was selfish.
So, Wilt decided to stop scoring. Sorta.
In 1966-67, under coach Alex Hannum, Wilt focused on passing and defense. He "only" averaged 24 points, but he grabbed 24 rebounds and dished out nearly 8 assists a game. The result? One of the greatest teams in NBA history. The '67 Sixers went 68-13 and finally toppled Bill Russell’s Celtics. Wilt got his ring. He proved he could play "winning" basketball, whatever that meant to the critics.
He even led the league in total assists in 1968. A center! Leading the league in assists is like a goalie leading the NHL in goals. It just doesn't happen.
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Los Angeles Lakers (1968–1973): The Hollywood Ending
By 1968, Wilt wanted out of Philly again. He was eyeing the bright lights of LA. The Sixers traded him to the Lakers, marking the first time a reigning MVP was traded the following season.
In Los Angeles, he joined Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. It was the original "Superteam." However, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. Wilt clashed with coach Joe Mullaney and later Bill Sharman. He was older, his knees were acting up, and he was asked to be a defensive specialist.
It worked, eventually. In 1972, Wilt led the Lakers to a 33-game winning streak—a record that still stands today. They won the title, and Wilt was the Finals MVP at 35 years old. He played the final game with a fractured bone in his hand. He was a warrior in the literal sense, not just the team name.
The San Diego Conundrum (1973)
When asking who did Wilt Chamberlain play for, there’s a technicality that usually gets missed. After his stint with the Lakers, Wilt signed a $600,000 contract to be a player-coach for the San Diego Conquistadors of the ABA (the rival league to the NBA).
The Lakers sued.
A judge ruled that Wilt still owed the Lakers a year on his contract, so he could coach the Conquistadors, but he couldn't actually play for them. He spent one season on the sidelines, looking bored in expensive suits, before retiring for good. He never played a single minute in the ABA, but he was technically on their payroll.
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Why the Movement Matters
Wilt played for three different NBA franchises across four different cities. But the impact he left on those cities was lopsided. In Philly, he’s a god. In LA, he’s a legend who helped deliver the city’s first Lakers championship. In San Francisco? He’s often a footnote compared to the Steph Curry era, which is a shame.
The constant movement of Wilt Chamberlain was a precursor to the player empowerment era we see now with guys like LeBron James or Kevin Durant. Wilt knew his value. He wasn't afraid to force a trade or demand a salary that made owners wince. He was the first true "superstar" who understood that the game revolved around him, not the other way around.
Statistical Breakdown of His Tenure
If you look at the raw data, it’s easy to see how his game evolved based on his jersey.
- Warriors (Philly/SF): The Scoring Machine. This is where he put up the 50 PPG season. He was the primary, and often only, option.
- 76ers: The All-Around Point-Center. He became a facilitator and a champion.
- Lakers: The Defensive Anchor. He sacrificed his stats for wins and focused on being a rebounding and shot-blocking titan.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Wilt bounced around because he was a "bad teammate." That’s a lazy take. Bill Russell, his greatest rival, always spoke of him with immense respect. The reality was more about the economics of the 1960s NBA. Teams were struggling to stay afloat. Trading Wilt was often a business decision to save a franchise from bankruptcy because his salary was so high.
He was also a man of varied interests. He played professional volleyball after the NBA. He almost fought Muhammad Ali. He was into track and field, acting (shoutout to Conan the Destroyer), and architecture. Basketball was just one thing he was good at.
Understanding the Legacy: Next Steps for Fans
If you really want to understand the impact of the teams Wilt Chamberlain played for, you shouldn't just look at the stats. You have to look at the rule changes he caused. The NBA widened the lane, changed the rules for free throws, and adjusted offensive goaltending all because Wilt was too dominant for the existing game.
To get a deeper feel for his journey, here is what you should do next:
- Watch the 1972 NBA Finals footage: It’s some of the best remaining video of Wilt playing a disciplined, defensive role that proved his basketball IQ.
- Read "Wilt: 1962" by Gary M. Pomerantz: This book focuses specifically on his time with the Philadelphia Warriors and the night he scored 100. It provides incredible context on the era.
- Visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: If you’re ever in Springfield, the Wilt exhibit shows the scale of his physical presence—his jerseys look like they were made for a giant, which, essentially, they were.
Wilt didn't just play for teams; he defined eras. Whether he was in a Warriors, 76ers, or Lakers jersey, he was always the biggest person in the room—both physically and historically.