Even after a heartbreaking loss to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals, some Los Angeles Lakers fans felt their team could still run it back the following season. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were well within their primes, while Karl Malone and Gary Payton could still pour in critical contributions.
But as we know, the front office broke up the roster and embarked on a long rebuilding process. Shaq and the Lakers were not surprised by this direction. According to O’Neal, someone in the front office warned them of dissolving the team if they lost in the 2004 NBA Finals.
The critical decision
In O’Neal’s appearance on Fox Sports’ “The Odd Couple with Chris Broussard & Rob Parker” in 2020, the group discussed “The Last Dance,” particularly Bulls general manager Jerry Krause’s ultimatum to his team. That no matter if the team won the 1997-98 title or not, he would disband the roster.
“The same thing that was going on in this documentary was going on with me,” Shaq said . “It was told to me that if we don’t win the series [2004 NBA Finals vs. Detroit Pistons], I’m out of there.”
“Yes, from somebody upstairs in the office, ‘Hey, if you don’t win this series, they’re looking to make changes'… I knew once we lost that it was time for me to do something else,” he added.
Given the dire circumstances within the Lakers during that time, they would’ve probably broken up the team even if they won the title. The Shaq-Kobe feud was at its peak. Winning a fourth title probably wouldn’t magically solve the problem.
The Black Mamba wanted a more prominent role in the triangle offense, seeing a decline in O’Neal’s game. However, Big Diesel still believed he could play and did not accede to Kobe’s wishes. This created a tense atmosphere between the two titans that could only be solved if they went in separate ways.
Related: "He has 47 kids in the Philippines, and I'm the oldest one" - When Dennis Rodman broke down during his Hall of Fame speech
The end of an era
The Lakers were faced with a tough choice: would they keep Shaq or Kobe? The Mamba was a free agent in the summer of 2004. He was looking at other teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers. Meanwhile, Shaq was still under contract until 2006 .
The Purple and Gold front office chose Bryant. They traded Shaq to Miami for Caron Butler, Brian Grant, Lamar Odom, a 2006 first-round draft pick, and a 2007 second-round draft pick.
The following day, Bryant declined a six-year, $100 million offer to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers and re-signed with the Lakers on a seven-year, $136.4 million contract. It's safe to assume that while the team didn't win it all in 2004, the plans to break up its core were well underway.
Related: "Becoming a Mormon Match.com kind of service" - Shaquille O'Neal was hellbent on finding his Lakers teammate a suitable wife
Local News
