The Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant duo became one of the most dominant forces in NBA history. Together, they led the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002. However, the partnership between the two superstar players was strained, and eventually, the tension between them led to the end of their time together.
The Breakup After the 2004 NBA Finals
After the Lakers lost the 2004 NBA Finals, Kobe Bryant’s relationship with O'Neal reached a breaking point. Bryant didn’t want to continue playing alongside O'Neal, partly due to O'Neal’s influence on the rest of the team and his impact on how the national media viewed him. During the summer of 2004, Bryant became a free agent and was on the verge of leaving Los Angeles. He was even close to joining the Los Angeles Clippers but eventually re-signed with the Lakers.
Kobe's Near Move to the Chicago Bulls
However, Bryant revealed during a one-on-one conversation with Shaquille O'Neal years later that he was actually very close to joining the Chicago Bulls. In 2004, the Bulls were beginning their post-Michael Jordan era. Although the team was still in a rebuilding phase, they had promising young players, and they finished the season with 47 wins, setting the stage for three consecutive playoff appearances.
Bryant said he was considering the Bulls as a potential destination, but the situation changed when Rob Pelinka, who was his agent at the time, informed him that O'Neal had requested a trade. This move ultimately led to O'Neal being traded to the Miami Heat in July 2004. Shortly after, Bryant signed a new contract with the Lakers.
The Summer of 2007 and the Trade Drama
Despite a rough period with the Lakers, where Bryant felt the team had little support around him, his relationship with the team saw further tension. In the summer of 2007, Bryant demanded a trade, and the Chicago Bulls were once again reportedly on his list of possible teams. However, despite interest, a trade deal between the Lakers and the Bulls never materialized, and Bryant remained in Los Angeles.
Bryant's Legacy with the Lakers
The trade demand in 2007 ultimately became a turning point for Bryant and the Lakers. In February 2008, the Lakers acquired another Hall of Fame player, Pau Gasol. This move led to the Lakers reaching the NBA Finals that same year, where they lost to the Boston Celtics. But the following year, the Lakers won the championship, defeating the Celtics in a dramatic Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals.
The Chicago Move That Almost Happened
Bryant recalled the close call of moving to Chicago with his family. “We were looking for homes. We were actually looking for homes in Chicago. Researching schools, places to live. So that was true, you were gonna go to the Bulls? Yeah, we were looking for places in Chicago, man. We were flying up there to meet with Ryan’s door. You wanna leave sunny California to go to cold-add Chicago? Vanessa signed off on moving out to, I think it was Lake Forest, Chicago. And then went on a vacation to Italy. I got a phone call, Rob Pelinka called me. And he said, 'Shaq just requested a trade.' It’s like, well, there goes Chicago. There’s no way the Lakers are gonna meet in the same year."
Though Bryant was close to joining the Bulls, his decision to stay with the Lakers would ultimately lead to a highly successful second chapter in his career.