This trade has to rank in the top five of the worst trades of all-time list. The reason the trade that involved Shaq ranks higher than most, is because the Lakers had won three straight titles with Shaq in the middle, even though they lost in the 2004 Finals against Detroit, the Lakers were still a dominant club.

The Lakers signed Shaq in 1996 and from that moment, Lakers fans had every right to believe a championship would come soon. However, in order for Shaq to win a title, he had to rely on his teammate Kobe Bryant to help him with the scoring load. After a few seasons and three rings, the two stars were at each others throats for control of the team.

After the 2004 Finals, Shaq had enough and asked to be traded, if the Lakers weren’t going to make a move and send Kobe away. The Lakers choose Kobe and traded Shaq to the Miami Heat for Caron Butler and Lamar Odom.

Even though this trade eventually worked out for the Lakers, as Odom would help lead the Lakers to the 2009 title, just think if Shaq would have stayed in L.A. The Lakers could have won at least two more titles and Shaq may have still been a Laker. Caron Butler never got in rhythm and was traded to the Wizards. Shaq ended up winning a title in Miami, but was traded again to the Suns, who also traded Shaq, this time he landed in Cleveland. Laker fans can all agree that trading Shaq was one of the worst trades in the history of the NBA.

- John A. Roberts

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Tags | Bad Lakers trades, kobe, lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, Shaq