Shaquille O'Neal's Contract Breakdown: From $3 Million As A Rookie To Over $250 Million In Career NBA Salaries

When you think of the greatest centers of all time, you likely think of Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. In today’s league, Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid are pushing that narrative with what they can accomplish these days. With that said, there is a valid argument that a four-time champion, three-time Finals MVP, and 15-time All-Star could put himself into the mix as the greatest of all time. He also has the money to back it up from back then and if it was converted to today’s modern currency.

Shaquille O’Neal was the poster kid for what you wanted to have to be your prime superstar. With O’Neal in the fold, the Orlando Magic made their first NBA Finals appearance. Then, he led the Los Angeles Lakers to four trips to the NBA Finals, which included a three-peat from 2000 to 2002. He took his talents to south beach and then helped Dwyane Wade win a championship with Miami in 2006. Frequently a top-paid player in the league, O’Neal’s contract breakdown supports the idea that he gave a team exactly what they paid for. We take a look at those numbers right now, including how O’Neal’s season-by-season totals would be worth today.

Here is the contract breakdown of Shaquille O’Neal.

1992-93 NBA Season - $3,000,000

Stats: 23.4 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 3.5 BPG

After spending a season at LSU, O’Neal was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. Before moving to Orlando, he took time to learn from Magic Johnson in Los Angeles and then took his rookie season. O’Neal was quickly a sensation after averaging an All-Star double-double that had him voted as an All-Star starter.

It was the first time a rookie was voted an ASG starter since Michael Jordan in 1985. The Magic went 41-41 and won 20 more games than their last season. However, the team missed the playoffs due to a tie-breaker with the Pacers. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $6.3 million in today’s league.

1993-94 NBA Season - $3,900,000

Stats: 29.3 PPG, 13.2 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.9 BPG

With a new coach, O’Neal improved his scoring to finish second in the scoring title behind David Robinson. O’Neal led the league in field-goal percentage for the first time in his career. He also recorded his first triple-double of his career with 24 points, 28 rebounds, and 15 blocks against the Nets.

O’Neal was once again voted to the All-Star Game and made his first All-NBA Team. O’Neal’s new teammate, Penny Hardaway, led the Magic to their first appearance in the playoffs. The Magic won 52 games but were eliminated by the Pacers in the first round. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $8.0 million in today’s league.

1994-95 NBA Season - $4,800,000

Stats: 29.3 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.4 BPG

His third season featured another new height. For the first time in franchise history, the Magic had a player that was in contention for the MVP Award. O’Neal finished second in the MVP voting to David Robinson but led the league in scoring. With Hardaway and O’Neal, the Magic won the Atlantic Division title and then won their first playoff series ever with a win over the Celtics.

The Magic continued to climb as the team defeated three-time champion Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the second round and then got a revenge win over the Pacers in the Conference Finals. The team was defeated by the Rockets in the NBA Finals, but O’Neal played well by averaging 28.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $9.6 million in today’s league.

1995-96 NBA Season - $5,700,000

Stats: 26.6 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.6 SPG, 2.1 BPG

This would be the final season for O’Neal with the Magic and he spent a great deal of the year hurt. He missed 28 games but averaged a double-double. He also made his third straight All-NBA Team and his fourth straight All-Star Game. Despite dealing with his injuries, the Magic finished with 60 wins and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Magic would end up playing the Bulls in the Conference Finals but would be defeated by the team that won 72 regular season games, an NBA record at the time. O’Neal would leave the Magic in free agency for a larger market. That would be the Lakers where he would rewrite history. For this season, O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $11.0 million in today’s league.

1996-97 NBA Season - $10,714,000

Stats: 26.2 PPG, 12.5 RPG 3.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.9 BPG

The Lakers made sure they paid O’Neal well so that he would come to the team. O’Neal signed a seven-year, $120 million contract which came out to an average salary of $17.1 million. Even with this new contract, O’Neal was not the highest-paid player in the league until 1999-00 due to large contracts by Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing. During the offseason, O’Neal was criticized for his role in negotiations with the Magic and then was criticized for chasing the money.

O’Neal denied going to the Lakers for the money, but it didn’t help his case when he missed 30 games due to injury. However, the Lakers made the playoffs and O’Neal averaged a strong double-double. Facing the Trail Blazers, O’Neal scored 46 points in a game, the most since Jerry West scored 53 in 1969. In the end, the team was defeated by the Jazz in the second round. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $20.2 million in today’s league.

1997-98 NBA Season - $12,857,143

Stats: 28.3 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.6 SPG, 2.4 BPG

In his second season, O’Neal led the league in shooting, which would be the first of five consecutive seasons. The Lakers won the Pacific Division with 61 games and owned the No. 2 seed in the conference standings. It was also the first time that O’Neal finished with All-NBA First Team nods.

The playoffs saw the Lakers defeat the Trail Blazers and SuperSonics in the first two rounds. However, former MVP Karl Malone and assist king John Stockton led the Jazz to a four-game sweep over the Lakers. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $23.7 million in today’s league.

1998-99 NBA Season - $9,146,341

Stats: 26.3 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.7 BPG

With Jordan finally out of the league, it felt like the NBA was wide open now that the six-time champion Bulls were undermanned. By this time, Kobe Bryant was turning into a young veteran of the league. With the tandem of Bryant and O’Neal, it felt like something special was brewing in Los Angeles.

The season was cut short due to the lockout but the Lakers made a few moves to build around their two superstars. That included bringing in Glen Rice, while coach Del Harris was fired with Kurt Rambis taking over to finish the season with a 31-19 record. With that said, even with O’Neal and Bryant’s strong play, the team was ousted by the future NBA champion Spurs in the second round. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $27.2 million in today’s league.

1999-00 NBA Season - $17,142,858

Stats: 29.7 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 0.5 SPG, 3.0 BPG

For the first time in his career, O’Neal was the top-paid player in the league. O’Neal lived up to the hype as he would finish as the MVP of the season. With new head coach Phil Jackson, the triangle offense fit perfectly for this squad. O’Neal scored 61 points on his birthday with 23 rebounds, which is the last game in the NBA that featured at least 60 points and no 3-point field goals.

O’Neal was one vote short of becoming the first unanimous MVP in league history. O’Neal won the scoring title and finished second in rebounds and blocks. The Lakers rode this special play to the NBA Finals. O’Neal won the Finals MVP against the Pacers by averaging 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks in the six-game series win. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $30.5 million in today’s league.

2000-01 NBA Season - $19,285,715

Stats: 28.7 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.6 SPG, 2.8 BPG

The next four seasons would see Kevin Garnett lead the league in salary. While Garnett was leading the Timberwolves to the playoffs, O’Neal was leading the Lakers to championships. The Lakers took advantage of O’Neals strong play all season to make the NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Allen Iverson received the one vote the previous season to keep O’Neal from being a unanimous MVP. Iverson won the 2001 MVP so it paired the last two top players against each other. After losing the first game, the Lakers won four straight to take the championship. O’Neal averaged 33.0 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in five games to claim his second Finals MVP Award. He remains the last center to win a Finals MVP. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $33.1 million in today’s league.

2001-02 NBA Season - $21,428,572

Stats: 27.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.6 SPG, 2.0 BPG

There was some concern about the status of the three-peat before the season. O’Neal had to get surgery for a claw toe in his pinky toe on his left foot. However, he was ready for the start of the season. During the season, O’Neal was an All-NBA selection and All-Star but was suspended for three games due to a brawl with Chicago Bulls Center Brad Miller. All of that did not matter when the Lakers kept winning.

The Lakers had their biggest test in the Conference Finals against the Kings. Game 6 continually gets talked about due to the officiating that is speculated as “fixing” the game all these years later. In the Finals, O’Neal captured his third straight Finals MVP Award by averaging 36.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in the four-game sweep over the Nets. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $35.6 million in today’s league.

2002-03 NBA Season - $23,571,429

Stats: 27.5 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 3.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 2.4 BPG

Due to the pain from his toe, O’Neal received surgery on his toe and missed 12 games due to recovery. O’Neal received some criticism for waiting all summer and before training camp to get the surgery which forced him to miss games. O’Neal famously said that he “got hurt on company time” so he would heal on company time. The Lakers began the season with an 11-19 record before finishing strong at the end of the season. The Lakers were the No. 5 seed and made the second round of the playoffs before falling to the eventual champion Spurs. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $38.8 million in today’s league.

2003-04 NBA Season - $24,749,999

Stats: 21.5 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.5 SPG, 2.3 BPG

O’Neal wanted a contract extension before the season. The team was hoping that due to his injury past and age, he would take less money but that did not happen. The two agreed for three years and $88 million, which was an average salary of $29.5 million. There were also concerns about the growing feud between Bryant and O’Neal. The climax of the feud was seen at training camp when Bryant criticized O’Neal during an interview with ESPN journalist Jim Gray.

Despite all of the controversy, the Lakers made the playoffs and made the NBA Finals. O’Neal’s play was criticized despite averaging 26.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in the five-game loss to the Pistons. Many wondered if this was the last time the Lakers saw O’Neal play. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $39.9 million in today’s league.

2004-05 NBA Season - $27,696,430

Stats: 22.9 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.5 SPG, 2.3 BPG

In the offseason, O’Neal was traded to the Heat for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a future first-round pick. O’Neal promised the fanbase that he would bring a championship to the town. There was also the narrative of who would win a title first: O’Neal or Bryant? With up-and-coming star Dwyane Wade, the team claimed the best record in the Eastern Conference with 59 wins.

It was the 12th consecutive season O’Neal made the All-Star Game. O’Neal finished second in the MVP voting to Steve Nash. He certainly lived up to being the highest-paid player in the league. In the playoffs, the team lost to the Pistons in the Conference Finals. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $43.2 million in today’s league.

2005-06 NBA Season - $20,000,000

Stats: 20.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.8 BPG

O’Neal was the highest-paid player for the second straight season. It was one of three times and this would be the last time before Kevin Garnett would overtake O’Neal once again. O’Neal missed 18 games due to a right ankle injury. When he returned, he had a new coach in Pat Riley. With the adjustment, O’Neal’s minutes were limited but it ultimately was the right choice as O’Neal would stay healthy and help the Heat win the 2006 championship.

The Heat took on the Mavericks, who won the first two games of the season. After that, the Heat rode Finals MVP Dwyane Wade with a balanced attack from O’Neal, Antoine Walker, and Jason Williams to win three straight home games. With O’Neal playing a support role, he averaged 13.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in the Finals. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $30.4 million in today’s league.

2006-07 NBA Season - $20,000,000

Stats: 17.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.2 SPG, 1.4 BPG

O’Neal missed 35 games during the season due to an injury in his left knee. It required surgery and the Heat struggled without O’Neal in the lineup. When he returned, the Heat dealt with another injury to Wade. With the team riding on O’Neal carrying him, it was a hard task for a player in his mid-30s. With that said, the Heat made the playoffs.

The Heat faced the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs and struggled. The Bulls swept the Heat. It was the first time that a defending NBA champion was swept in the opening round. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $29.2 million in today’s league.

2007-08 NBA Season - $20,000,000

Stats: 13.6 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG

The Heat continued to sink toward the bottom of the standings and it led to the team deciding to move on from O’Neal. In 2005, O’Neal signed a five-year, $101 million extension with the team that featured an average salary of $20 million. With O’Neal’s two years left, a sinking team in the standings, and potential salary relief, a trade with the Suns made sense at the time. With a 9-37 record, the Heat acquired Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.

In 28 games with the Suns, O’Neal averaged 12.9 points and 10.6 rebounds. It helped the Suns make the playoffs. With O’Neal in the center, it challenged All-Star Tim Duncan of the Spurs and pushed the series to five games in the first round of the playoffs. O’Neal averaged 15.2 points and 9.2 rebounds in the series. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $28.4 million in today’s league.

2008-09 NBA Season - $21,000,000

Stats: 17.8 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.4 BPG

After the way the season finished, O’Neal liked the idea of remaining with the Suns. The team had pieces around him with former MVP Steve Nash. He also returned to the All-Star Game despite being an older player in the league. The season even saw O’Neal drop 45 points and 11 rebounds against the Raptors. With a rejuvenated Shaq, the Suns made the playoffs again.

However, O’Neal did not get to participate in the playoffs. A strained right knee meant that O’Neal did not participate in the playoffs for the first time since his rookie season. Due to a large salary, O’Neal was told he could be traded to help the team cut costs. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $28.4 million in today’s league.

2009-10 NBA Season - $20,000,000

Stats: 12.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.3 SPG, 1.2 BPG

The Suns delivered on their statement to trade O’Neal. He was traded to the Cavaliers for Sasha Pavlovic, Ben Wallace, cash, and a 2010 second-round pick. O’Neal was joining a team that featured the reigning MVP. The Cavaliers were seen as title contenders but O’Neal once again was hit by an injury. On March 1, he had surgery on his right thumb that forced O’Neal to miss the rest of the regular season.

O’Neal was able to return to the playoffs but was not the same player. After missing five weeks, he was not ready for the intense battle with the Celtics in the second round. O’Neal has said that he believed he would have won a fifth ring had he not gotten hurt during the regular season. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $27.4 million in today’s league.

2010-11 NBA Season - $1,352,181

Stats: 9.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.1 BPG

The 2010 season ended with Bryant winning his fifth championship with the Lakers. Bryant made a comment that he owned more rings than his former teammate. This prompted O’Neal to want to return to the league to try and get his fifth title. With a big three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen in Boston, the team that eliminated Cleveland in 2010, he saw it as an opportunity to contend. O’Neal took the veteran’s minimum after the team gave the mid-level exception to Jermaine O’Neal.

During the season, O’Neal missed games due to his knee, hip, and Achilles ailments. The idea was that O’Neal would fill the void left by Kendrick Perkins when the team traded him. When Perkins missed, the Celtics were 33-10 and 19-3 in games that O’Neal played in over 20 minutes. However, O’Neal missed 27 games due to an Achilles and then played in only 12 minutes in the second round of the playoffs. O’Neal retired from the league for good after being eliminated. O’Neal’s salary would have been worth $1.8 million in today’s league.

Career Earnings - $286,344,668

O’Neal was an overpowering force in the middle. That is evidenced by his career average of 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. At 7-foot-1 and 330 pounds, there were not many players that could stop him. As mentioned, O’Neal was a four-time champion, three-time Finals MVP winner, an MVP, 15-time All-Star, and 14-time All-NBA selection. He also won the All-Star Game MVP in 2000, 2004, and 2009, while making three All-Defensive Teams.

If you look at his track record, teams won while O’Neal played for them. That began with the Magic, then to three titles with the Lakers, and then another in Miami. Even the Suns, Cavaliers, and Celtics were better with him in the fold. To be the top-paid player just three times in his career is surprising when you put everything together. If Shaq were a modern-day player, he would have made $473,583,018. That is probably why you often hear him on Inside the NBA, that he wishes he played in today’s league.