James Worthy says Shaquille O'Neal's decision to join the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 did more than bring another superstar to Hollywood. It helped launch a new championship era for the franchise, although the deal nearly fell apart before Shaq ever put on a Lakers jersey.

Speaking with Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson alongside fellow Lakers legend Robert Horry for #WORDSWITHSCOOP , Worthy recalled watching then-Lakers executive Jerry West scramble to secure O'Neal's signature after the center decided to leave the Orlando Magic.

"I just remember Jerry West pulling his hair out that whole week when he was trying to get Shaq," Worthy said. "I happened to see him on the golf course; it was a lot of back and forth, a lot of phone calls.…