What happened: Philadelphia ownership offered Chamberlain a post-retirement stake through a verbal 1965 arrangement because league rules barred active players from owning teams. The promise collapsed after an ownership change, and Chamberlain demanded a trade.
Why it matters: NBA reserve clauses gave players little control over where they played, making Chamberlain's leverage exceptional for the era. His exit ultimately put him alongside two established stars in Los Angeles, an early blueprint for player-driven superteams.
By the numbers: The Lakers acquired Chamberlain on July 9, 1968, for Darrall Imhoff, Archie Clark and Jerry Chambers. Chamberlain became the first reigning NBA MVP traded the following season.
What to watch: The NBA's Kawhi Leonard investigation will determine how the modern ownership comparison holds up.