The Shaquille O’Neal Show: LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal Could Play Together in Sin City franchise in the NBA
Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James, two legends of the Los Angeles Lakers, are among the famous people who have taken an interest in the NBA’s possible expansion to Las Vegas.
O’Neal originally gained attention as a James rival; he had previously stated his intention to form his own ownership group and avoid any collaboration, including with the four-time MVP. Nonetheless, it appears that the Hall of Famer has reconsidered his stance, as he recently expressed his willingness to collaborate, provided that he is involved in bringing an NBA club to Sin City.
“I would definitely like to be involved if there’s ever an NBA team that comes here,” he told The Messenger. Whether it’s with or without LeBron, all I want is to be involved.
O’Neal seems to really enjoy Las Vegas. This is his first visit to Sin City since 1982, and he’s here to witness the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Major League Baseball owners have approved the move of the Oakland Athletics franchise to the world-famous city of Las Vegas, so he likely has another chance to be connected with a Las Vegas sports franchise.
The idea of minority ownership has surfaced, but O’Neal isn’t keen on it. He says he’d rather be a part of a basketball organization where he can have a voice in decision-making.
“Nо, nоt bаsebаll,” he declаred. Fооtbаll, perhаps; bаsketbаll, withоut а dоubt; bаsebаll, nоt аt аll. I wоuld like tо tаke pаrt. Twо kinds оf оwners exist. I’m а pаrtiаl оwner, there’s аn оwner whо merely hаs brаgging rights, аnd there аre guys whо prefer tо mаke judgments. I hоpe tо hаve а sаy in impоrtаnt decisiоns sоmedаy.
Few will be surprised by the illustrious big man’s record as a minority owner. The Sacramento Kings were one of his minority-owned businesses from 2013 to 2022.
The extent to which O’Neal was involved in staffing the team with coaches and players is unknown, although during that time the Kings failed to reach the playoffs on a single occasion. Still, the Kings were able to assemble the core of the group that advanced to the playoffs last year during that time.
If James is open to being part of the same ownership group as O’Neal, it will determine a lot. One thing is certain: the 19-time All-Star has long been vocal about his ambition to own a Las Vegas team.
Since LeBron James became the first active NBA player to officially become a billionaire, he likely has more money than enough to own a franchise outright.
The Lakers superstar looks to still have plenty of juice to keep playing after this season. Even when he retires from playing, he appears to have some sort of involvement with the league.