The dominant duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal helped propel the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships at the start of the millennium.
But one of the most successful stretches in franchise history would come to an end in 2004, when O’Neal found himself traded to the Miami Heat. Such a move was imminent after O’Neal and Bryant’s relationship came to an abrupt end following continuous disagreements.
Plus, O’Neal was pressing then-Lakers owner Jerry Buss for a new contract, which Buss was hesitant to dole out for an aging player. With the Heat, O’Neal would add a fourth NBA championship to his resume in 2006, serving as Miami’s go-to option on offense, along with rising star Dwyane Wade.