NBA: Top 5 Free Agency Moves In NBA History

Shaquille O’Neal to Los Angeles (1996)

Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq Daddy. The Diesel. The Big Aristotle. The Big Nomad – Okay maybe I made that last one up.

On a serious note though, most legends play with one, maybe two franchise’s in their career. Not necessarily because of their undying loyalty, but because the majority of great players play for great teams.

Magic Johnson was drafted to a good team. Larry Bird was quickly given McHale and Parish. Kareem was paired with Oscar Robertson in his second season. Jordan was eventually rewarded Pippen and Phil Jackson for his heroic efforts early on…

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Obviously, it goes on and on. However, Shaq’s career could be considered the exception. He really is the league’s greatest nomad, forever in constant search of the perfect opportunity.

Of course, that all began in 1996.  

Beginning in the 1980’s, the Eastern Conference became the premier coast. Beginning as a three-way battle between Larry Bird and his Celtics, Dr. J and the Sixers, and to a lesser degree Don Nelson’s Milwaukee Bucks. Later on, Dominique Wilkins and his Atlanta Hawks joined the fray, and eventually the notorious “Bad Boy” Pistons.

Taking a step back and examining the conference with a wider lense will yield different results though. While the Celtics and Sixers vied for dominance in the early ‘80s, ultimately the Celtics  reign supreme. But, after a loss to the Pistons in the ‘88 Conference finals, the tides had changed. The “Bad Boy” Pistons were king, led by Isiah Thomas and his unruly front court. Of course, then there was Jordan and his Chicago Bulls.

In essence, the Eastern Conference had become a ladder. If you wanted to cement yourself in NBA annals, you had to climb the ladder of success all the way to the top, and dethrone the torch bearer. Shaquille O’Neal and his Orlando Magic were the next great team. Alongside Penny Hardaway, and great roleplayers like Nick Anderson, Horace Grant, and Dennis Scott – they were destined for success. Then, came Alonzo Mourning.

By 1996, the Orlando Magic had already been to an NBA Finals in ‘95, and lost to the 72-win-Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals the season prior. Penny and Shaq were still young. Still developing into the legends they were both destined to become. At the same time, unrestricted free agency was still in its infancy.

Obscene amounts of money were being thrown around left-and-right, not-at-all unlike today. So Orlando decided to play along, and offer the Diesel a four year/$80 million contract. Then news broke of Alonzo Mourning’s massive contract. $110 million.

Shaq walked away with three championships, asserting himself as one of the most dominant forces in NBA history

Alonzo was a good center, but he was no Shaquille O’Neal. So, Jerry West capitalized on Orlando’s aloofness, and signed Shaq to a seven year/$121 million deal. He was officially a Los Angeles Laker, adding to the Lakers unhealthy obsession with hoarding legendary big men.

Ultimately, the move worked out. Or should I say obviously. Shaq walked away with three championships, asserting himself as one of the most dominant forces in NBA history. Although, maybe not – I would argue that Shaq’s departure from Orlando was the beginning of the new age of basketball.

Never before had we seen a player of Shaq’s caliber purely motivated by money. And, for what? His best teammates in Los Angeles were Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones. He probably didn’t even know who Kobe Bryant was in ‘96. There was no certainty that he could win in Los Angeles. In Orlando he had everything. He was the figure-head of a fledgling franchise. Playing alongside a strong young core aided by veteran leadership, destined for success.

How could you throw that away for $121 million?

Who am I to judge Shaq, though? Sure, logic dictates leaving Orlando was complete insanity. But, the Basketball God’s work in mysterious ways. Remember how I said every great player eventually finds the right situation? Shaq found the right situation, and never looked back. Well, until he despised Kobe Bryant and took his talents to South Beach… 

What a segway!

Next: The Final Countdown