Los Angeles Lakers: 10 greatest free agent signings in franchise history

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LOS ANGELES, CA – DEC 12: Shaquille O’Neal 34 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against the Golden State Warriors on December 1, 2001 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2001 NBAE (Photo by Robert Mora/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Greatest Free Agent Signing All Time – Number One: Shaquille O’Neal

Without a doubt, the best signing in Los Angeles Lakers history. Shaq was drafted number one overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. After four seasons in Orlando, Shaq hit free agency in the summer of 1996. The Lakers signed him to a seven-year, $121 million mega deal.

After a few up and down seasons in Los Angeles, the move ultimately paid off big time with NBA titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002. During the 2000 season, O’Neal won the regular season MVP award, in which he received 120-of-121 possible votes. During that season he averaged 29.7 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks a game.

O’Neal also won three NBA Finals MVP’s during his time as a Laker. O’Neal and Kobe Bryant formed one of the most dominant duos in all of basketball during those championship years.

Ironically, his Lakers career came to an end in 2004, when the Shaq and Kobe feud reached a boiling point. They could no longer co-exist on the same team, and the Lakers chose to keep Kobe on the roster.

Next: 50 Greatest Players In Lakers Franchise History

Overall, during eight seasons in Los Angeles, O’Neal averaged 27.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks a game. O’Neal is one of the most dominant centers of all-time and ranks in the top-10 of multiple categories in Lakers franchise history, including No. 1 in player efficiency rating.

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