Miami Heat’s iconic figure and current president, Pat Riley, recently provided insight into the monumental decision to acquire Shaquille O’Neal from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005.
In a heartfelt conversation with Heat legend Dwyane Wade on the iHeartPodcasts series “The Why with Dwyane Wade,” a co-production of iHeartPodcasts and Wade’s 59th & Prairie Entertainment, Riley, a nine-time NBA champion, disclosed the intricate details of the trade that reshaped the Heat’s trajectory.
Reflecting on O’Neal’s availability, Riley emphasized the belief in Shaq’s enduring prowess, stating, “When Shaq came on the market, I said, he’s got at least three more years. And I also said, Dwyane deserves it.
“I hated to give up– oh, God– I hated to give up Caron [Butler] and [Lamar] Odom and Brian [Grant] had to go because of the money. I mean Lamar Odom and Caron– if the three of you could have just stayed together for three or four more years, I would have got another center if it wasn’t Shaq or something.”
In a revealing conversation with Wade, Riley acknowledged the challenges of making such decisions, saying, “Yes, I hated to make that trade.”
Pressed by Wade on the emotional aspects of trading vital players, Riley admitted, “But also, was it my desperation that I needed a title after all these years and Winston’s 88? And I said, you know what? I got about another year left in me. I’m going to go for it. Hell with it.”
Despite initial hesitations, Riley affirmed the decision’s success, stating, “Believe me, they hit me over the head with a bat to get you. That was it…but we ended up getting the result, and that’s what my job was at the time.”
The trade not only brought O’Neal to Miami but also paved the way for the team’s NBA championship victory in the 2005-2006 season.
