Shaquille O'Neal’s No. 32 Jersey Is the First to Be Retired by the Orlando Magic

Shaquille O'Neal, speaks during a pre-game press conference about the Orlando Magic retiring his jersey before the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 13, 2024. Kevin Kolczynski/AP Photo

ORLANDO, Fla.—Shaquille O'Neal was Orlando’s first in lots of ways. First No. 1 overall draft pick. First player to make an All-Star team in a Magic uniform. First rookie of the year. First All-NBA selection. And the first big-time superstar to leave the franchise.

It’s that last part that he figured might cost him.