In the summer of 1996, Shaquille O’Neal was one of the biggest prizes in NBA free agency.
Literally and financially.
Shaq had already transformed the Orlando Magic from an expansion franchise into an NBA Finals team while establishing himself as one of basketball’s most dominant young superstars. After four seasons in Orlando, the big man believed it was time to get paid accordingly.
Then Alonzo Mourning, a fellow member of Shaq’s 1992 draft class, landed a massive $105 million deal with the Miami Heat.
Shaq noticed.
And somewhere in Los Angeles, Jerry West went to work.
The legendary Lakers executive was determined to bring O’Neal to Hollywood, but there was a slight problem: Shaq wanted $150 million, and West couldn’t quite get there.
So Mr. Clutch did what Mr. Clutch tended to do.
He found another way.
Shaq recalled meeting West at a hotel, where the Lakers executive told him he had good news and bad news.
The bad news?
“I can’t get you to 150,” West told him.
The good news was considerably better.
West could offer $120 million over seven years—and according to Shaq, he also talked about movie opportunities that could help make the overall financial picture considerably sweeter.
That got Shaq’s attention.
“Let me see the contract,” he recalled telling West.
When the paperwork arrived, O’Neal couldn’t believe what he was looking at.
“I’ve never seen so many zeros in my life,” Shaq remembered.
Can’t blame him there.
Shaq had earned roughly $17 million during his four seasons in Orlando. Suddenly, he was staring at a contract worth $120 million.
That’s the kind of paperwork you read very, very carefully.
Or at least make sure your name is spelled correctly before grabbing the pen.
But Jerry West wasn’t finished.
As Shaq was preparing to sign the deal that would change Lakers history, West put his hand on the big man’s shoulder and told him about another player he had just acquired.
A teenager named Kobe Bryant.
West told Shaq that within two or three years, the two of them were going to win “a lot of championships.”
Shaq’s reaction?
Essentially: That’s nice, Jerry. I’m trying to sign my $120 million contract here.
“And he was talking about Kobe,” Shaq recalled.
Turns out West knew exactly what he was talking about.
Shaq and Kobe eventually became the NBA’s most dominant partnership, leading the Lakers to three consecutive championships from 2000 through 2002. O’Neal won Finals MVP in all three title runs while Kobe blossomed into one of the greatest players in league history.
And West had seen the possibilities before either player had suited up together.
The Lakers got their superstar center. Shaq got his enormous contract and the Hollywood opportunities that came with playing in Los Angeles. And basketball fans eventually got one of the greatest championship duos ever assembled.
Looking back, Shaq may not have gotten the $150 million he originally wanted.
Somehow, three championship rings probably helped ease the disappointment.
And Jerry West?
He didn’t just close the deal.
He practically gave Shaq a spoiler for the next several seasons.