Assume everything else is the same and they work some cap magic to make the salaries work it’s Jordan, Kobe and Shaq + the rest, maybe excluding a few role players to make the scenario more plausible, how many do the lakers win? How does that impact each of their legacies?
It was mostly because he was part owner or GM of the Wizards so if he came back, i would be with them.
That said, you also point to other factors with "Maybe it’s just because we have gotten so used to players being savvy and doing whatever is best financially and legacy wise, and not caring about teaming up and looking “weak” "
For better or for worse, before 2010ish, players generally tried to win their team and not go title hunting and when they did, it was usually at the end of their careers and they had no titles. If they had already won, they usually weren’t interested in title hunting later in their careers.
Thats why you see Barkley (34?) go to HOU at an old age, Drexler to HOU at age 32, Malone & Payton to LAL at age 38-40, etc.