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1996 NBA offseason

Shaq, Kobe and a loaded new generation

The Lakers signed Shaquille O'Neal and traded for Kobe Bryant while a historic draft also delivered Allen Iverson, Steve Nash and Ray Allen.

Open the full season →Every offseason by year

Why this window matters

#3 in the Athlore NBA offseasons ranking

Los Angeles assembled the partnership behind a three-peat, while the draft supplied multiple MVPs and Hall of Famers across the league.

In the order it happened

The transaction timeline

The draft, major signings, trades and roster decisions are ordered chronologically. Complete draft boards, trade packages and free-agent jersey changes are embedded at the moment they happened.

  1. June 26 · NBA Draft

    Iverson goes first; a historic guard class arrives →

    Allen Iverson opened a draft that also included Ray Allen, Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant.

    The complete draft board is preserved beside this moment →

    Draft board

    1996 NBA

    01
    1

    First overall selection

    Allen Iverson

    Philadelphia 76ers

    Open every pick

  2. July 11 · Draft-rights trade

    Kobe Bryant officially becomes a Laker →

    Los Angeles completed its deal with Charlotte, sending Vlade Divac for the rights to the 17-year-old guard.

    The complete trade package is preserved beside this moment →

    03TradeJuly 11, 1996To LALLALBRYANT8To CHACHADIVAC12Kobe's draft-night tradeLAL receives Rights: Kobe Bryant · No. 13CHA receives Vlade Divac2 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

  3. July 13 · Free agency

    Michael Jordan re-signs for a record salary

    Chicago retained the centerpiece of its second three-peat on a one-year contract that reset the salary ceiling for a superstar.

  4. July 18 · Free agency

    Shaquille O'Neal signs with the Lakers

    The summer's largest free-agent decision paired O'Neal with the newly acquired Bryant and laid the foundation for three straight championships.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    02Free agencyJuly 18, 1996From ORLORLO'NEAL32To LALLALO'NEAL34Shaq chooses the LakersLos Angeles landed a 24-year-old superstar center and paired him with newly acquired Kobe Bryant, creating the foundation of the league's next dynasty.Orlando Magic → Los Angeles LakersOpen offseason →

  5. August 19 · Trade

    Charles Barkley joins Houston's veteran stars →

    Phoenix sent Barkley to Houston for four players, giving the Rockets a front line of three future Hall of Famers and one more all-in championship attempt.

    The complete trade package is preserved beside this moment →

    00TradeAugust 19, 1996To HOUHOUBARKLEY4To PHXPHXCASSELL10PHXHORRY25DraftPICKround asset+1 assetsCharles Barkley to HoustonHOU receives Charles BarkleyPHX receives Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Mark Bryant + 1 more5 original assets · 0 outcomes tracedOpen trade →