5 Most Impactful Free Agent Signings In NBA History

1.Shaquille O'Neal (Los Angeles Lakers)

Shaquille O'Neal with Jerry West

In 1996, Shaquille O'Neal was twenty-four years old and was already set to become one of the greatest players to ever play the game. He led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995 by beating the Chicago Bulls in the Conference Finals and was already a three-time All-Star.

O'Neal stated in an interview with Ernie Johnson that he was set to re-sign a four year $80 million deal with the Magic in 1996 when he was selected to play for his country in the Olympics. The deal was nearly done, but when he heard that Alonzo Mourning had just signed for the Miami Heat in a deal worth $115 million, O'Neal demanded $150 million from the Magic.

The Magic were caught off-guard and asked for some time.

In the meanwhile, basketball mastermind Jerry West in Los Angeles made a call to O'Neal at two in the morning stating that the Lakers couldn't give him what he was asking for but came pretty close with $121 million. He also said that he had been scouting a high school kid in the upcoming draft that would be the perfect partner for him in L.A. (Any guesses?).

O'Neal gave Orlando a chance to match the offer but they weren't able to do so. The next day the announcement was made and the rest is history.