"You could be out of the league in three years" - Ty Lue says his agent scared him after learning he will play with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant

Ty Lue was selected 23rd overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1998 NBA draft. Lue was traded to the LA Lakers in the Nick Van Exel deal on the same night. His agent scared him to death after learning he was going to play alongside Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

In an appearance on "The Pivot Podcast," Lue recalled the feeling he had after getting drafted by the Nuggets, then followed by his trade to the Lakers. His agent, Andy Miller, killed his excitement due to the fact that the Lakers were a top organization and he could be out of the league in a few years.

"I've been traded to the Lakers," Lue said. "I jumped on the couch going crazy. My agent killed my high like, 'This changes everything. You're going to a Class A organization. You could be out of the league in three years.' I went from high to scared to death."

Ty Lue's agent was completely wrong since he had an 11-year career in the NBA. However, the pressure helped Lue have a solid career playing as a backup point guard for multiple teams.

Lue teamed up with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant to win two NBA championships in 2000 and 2001. He also got to play alongside Michael Jordan in his two seasons with the Washington Wizards.

In addition to the LA Lakers and Wizards, Lue also played for the Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks. He retired in 2009 and became an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics in 2011.

After two years in Boston, Lue became an assistant for the LA Clippers in 2014 before being named associate head coach by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He took over David Blatt midway through the 2015-16 season, helping the Cavaliers win their first championship.

Lue coached the Cavs until 2018 and returned to the Clippers in 2019. He became the Clippers' head coach a year later and has been in charge of them since. He's looking to help the Clippers win their first title with superstars such as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

---

Shaquille O'Neal gave Ty Lue $20,000

Ty Lue and Shaquille O'Neal

Ty Lue came into the NBA when there was a lockout. Shaquille O'Neal recognized it as a tough situation to be in for a rookie. So when the two got together for the first time in Shaq's house, he gave $20,000 to Lue to help him during the lockout.

"I met Shaq the first night," Lue said. "Shaq was like, 'Man, glad to have you. Come to the house tomorrow and have a big meal, whatever, whatever.' So we go to Shaq's house the next day, he gives me $20,000 cash.

"He's like, 'I know you ain't got no money. I know it's a lockout. Take care of yourself.' That kind of helped me out. ... Shaq just made me feel welcome right away."

​