The Los Angeles Lakers, led by head coach Phil Jackson and superstars Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, won three straight NBA titles from 2000-02, forming one of the most dominant dynasties in NBA history.
The trio remained intact through the 2004 season, despite the obvious difference in opinions and attitudes. After losing to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals, it appeared changes were imminent, and that ended up being the case.
Los Angeles decided to build their future around Bryant, not O’Neal, so one of the most dominant centers of all-time was traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a future first-round draft choice (who would turn into Jordan Farmar in the 2006 NBA Draft).