Back in 1984, one of the most unusual deals in sports history was made: Magic Johnson agreed to a 25-year, $25 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. A deal spanning 25 years could feel like an eternity to most — maybe even to Dennis Rodman.
“He’s never leaving,” Jerry Buss told his daughter, Jeanie, after she informed him Magic wanted to sign with the Pistons just three years in. “Magic is more Los Angeles than anyone else here.”
It was actually Buss’s idea to lock Magic in for 25 years due to how close they were. “Figure he’s got 10 more years to play. After that, he’ll be a legend. And he’ll understand the game, especially since I’m going to teach him,” Buss said.
Magic’s contract expired in 2009, and by then, earning $1 million annually was pocket change for him. Rodman spoke on this deal during a live stream with ‘Neon’, praising Buss’s brilliance in giving Magic such a unique deal.
“Jerry Buss brought Magic in… gave him a lifetime deal. Jerry Buss, man, one of the coolest owners ever. He said, ‘Take all the money. Just win. Just win,’” Rodman shared.
Technically, Magic never got a lifetime deal with the Lakers. Still, 25 years is long enough that many might see it that way.
To be fair to Rodman, Magic’s been linked to the Lakers in some role or another since 1979 — player, executive, stakeholder, or advisor. So in many ways, it does feel like a lifelong connection with the team.
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Rodman did put on a Lakers jersey
Rodman actually played briefly for the Lakers, appearing in 23 games in 1999. He averaged 2.1 points and 11.2 rebounds but poor chemistry on and off the court ended things quickly.
“Kobe and Shaq were so jealous of me. The team catered to me — how I came and went, partied, did hotel stuff. They couldn’t stand me,” Rodman once said about why things didn’t click.
It may sound like Rodman is stirring the pot, but there’s some truth there. Shaq himself has admitted he didn’t enjoy playing with Rodman.
“Worst teammate? Dennis Rodman. Great player, but tough to manage. When you’re trying to keep the group together, and the front office gives one guy free reign, it’s hard,” Shaq said.
All these years later, it’s unclear whether they ever resolved their issues. Still, Shaq once said that if you rank him, Kobe, and Dennis as stars, Rodman was the biggest. So maybe he’s made peace with it now.
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