Shaquille O'Neal Says He Regrets Leaving the Magic for the Lakers in 1996

Shaq wishes he would have stayed with the Magic a little bit longer.

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When Shaquille O'Neal left the Magic in free agency back in the summer of 1996 to sign with the Lakers, he reportedly did so for a number of reasons. According to reports that were released at the time, Shaq wasn't happy with Orlando's head coaching situation. He also didn't have the greatest relationship with Penny Hardaway. And he thought that some of the media outlets in Orlando treated him unfairly.

So rather than re-sign with the Magic, he inked a seven-year, $121 million deal with the Lakers and took his talents out West. But despite this, Shaq has maintained a decent relationship with the Magic. Decent enough for the team to induct him into their Hall of Fame earlier today:

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And after his induction ceremony, he admitted that he wishes he would have been more patient and stayed with the Magic a little longer back in the late 1990s:

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Do you believe him? Looking back, he could have done some pretty special things with the Magic. But he also wouldn't have had the opportunity to make history with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. So we don't know if we believe Shaq or buy into the idea of him wanting to stay with the Magic any longer than he did.

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[via @JoshuaBRobbins]

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