Shaquille O'Neal Expresses Interest In Las Vegas NBA Team, Open To Collaboration With LeBron James


Photo: Instagram/Shaquille O'Neal

In a recent development, basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal has signaled his desire to be involved with a potential NBA team in Las Vegas, initially expressing a solo ownership ambition.

However, in a more recent statement, O'Neal expressed openness to collaboration, stating, "With LeBron, without LeBron, I just want to be involved."

O'Neal's interest in Las Vegas basketball ownership aligns with LeBron James' longstanding connection to the city's rumored expansion team. While LeBron had previously hinted at a partnership with the Fenway Sports Group, O'Neal now emphasizes his preference for independent ownership.

Photo: Instagram/Shaquille O'Neal

The former teammates, who shared the court with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2009-10 season, have different paths post-retirement. O'Neal served as a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings from 2013 to 2022 and currently works as a broadcaster on TNT's Inside the NBA.

Meanwhile, LeBron remains an active player for the Los Angeles Lakers. The dynamics of ownership control in any potential team involve considerations of front office power.

O'Neal, during his tenure as a minority owner, did not exercise front office influence, while LeBron might aspire for a more hands-on role. As the NBA focuses on finalizing a new national media rights deal, expansion discussions are expected to gain traction.

Las Vegas, alongside Seattle, emerges as a prime candidate for a new team. While both O'Neal and James express interest in ownership, it remains uncertain who will ultimately wield control over these prospective teams.

For now, the NBA landscape awaits the resolution of media rights negotiations, leaving fans and enthusiasts curious about the potential collaboration between these two basketball icons in shaping the future of Las Vegas NBA ownership.

Read Next: Kerr Criticizes NBA Rule Following Controversial Wiggins Foul In Warriors-Thunder Clash

Source: CBS Sports


You May Like

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Now

NBA Showdown: Scott Foster Ejects Chris Paul In Explosive Warriors-Suns Game Amidst Longstanding Feud

Image
Photo: Instagram/Scott Foster In a dramatic turn of events during the Warriors-Suns game, seasoned official Scott Foster ejected Chris Paul after the longstanding tension between the two finally boiled over. This rivalry, often overshadowed by other high-profile player conflicts, has silently shaped the narrative of modern basketball. The intense history between Paul and Foster manifested in a crucial moment on Wednesday night. Expressing his frustration with the veteran referee, Paul's comments led to his ejection shortly before halftime. Photo: Instagram/Scott Foster The Suns' telecast seemingly caught Paul using strong language, escalating the situation and prompting Foster's decisive action. The fallout extended beyond Paul, as Warriors coach Steve Kerr also received a technical foul. This incident adds another layer to the intricate dynamics of NBA rivalries, highlighting the impact referees can have on the game's outcome. Chris Paul was ejected after this excha
Read More

Gregg Popovich Attempts To Halt Boos Against Kawhi Leonard, Spurs Fans Remain Unyielding

Image
Photo: Instagram/Gregg Popovich The longstanding relationship between Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard took an unexpected turn during Wednesday's game, showcasing the complexities of their history.  Despite early career success and championship moments, Leonard's departure from the Spurs left a lingering tension that surfaced once again in a clash between Los Angeles and San Antonio. As the Clippers held a 48-39 lead in the first half, Leonard faced a barrage of boos from the San Antonio crowd while attempting free throws. Photo: Instagram/Gregg Popovich In an unusual move reminiscent of college basketball drama, Popovich grabbed a microphone and implored the fans to cease their booing. "Excuse me for a second. Can we stop all the booing and let these guys play? It's got no class. It's not who we are," Popovich pleaded.  However, the plea proved futile as the Spurs faithful intensified their jeers, particularly during Leonard'
Read More

Chris Paul Reveals 'Personal' Issue With Referee Scott Foster Leading To Explosive Ejection

Image
Photo: Instagram/Chris Paul In a dramatic turn of events, Chris Paul was ejected just before halftime with two quick technical fouls from Scott Foster .  The incident unfolded after Paul's foul on former teammate Kevin Durant , leading to a heated exchange with Foster.  When questioned about the ejection, Foster explained that it was for unsportsmanlike conduct, with Paul's continuous complaints escalating the situation to warrant a second technical foul. Photo: Instagram/Chris Paul In a postgame statement, Paul disclosed, "It's personal. We had a situation some years ago, and it's personal. The league knows, everybody knows, and it's been a meeting and all that. It's a situation with my son." This marks Paul's seventh career ejection but notably the first issued by Foster, despite their history of clashes. Paul's frustration with Foster goes beyond this recent incident, evident in his previous comments about the referee. It's the Scott Fo
Read More

Victor Wembanyama's Explosive Dunk Steals The Spotlight In Clippers-Spurs Showdown

Image
Photo: Instagram/Victor Wembanyama In a Wednesday night face-off between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers, all eyes turned to rookie Victor Wembanyama , who unleashed a jaw-dropping one-handed dunk, sparking a social media frenzy. The Clippers, victorious in their Monday clash against the Spurs with a score of 124-99, found themselves facing a determined San Antonio team.  Despite Wembanyama's standout performance, the Spurs continue to struggle with a 3-11 record, currently holding the 14th seed in the competitive Western Conference. Photo: Instagram/Victor Wembanyama Wembanyama, the 19-year-old sensation selected as the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, showcased his skills with impressive averages of 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.6 blocks per game.  However, his individual brilliance contrasts with the team's challenges, enduring a nine-game losing streak and a 1-7 record on their home court in San Antonio. OH MY WEMBY 🤯 1-hande
Read More

CM Punk Shocks Wrestling World With WWE Return at Survivor Series

Image
Photo: Instagram/CM Punk In a surprising turn of events, CM Punk has made a stunning return to WWE after a nine-year hiatus, marking a significant moment in his storied career.  Punk's comeback unfolded at Survivor Series in Chicago, his hometown, leaving fans in awe and speculation rife about his future in the company. Punk's wrestling journey began in 2005 with WWE, where he quickly rose through the ranks, capturing multiple championships and accolades during his six-year tenure. Photo: Instagram/CM Punk The Chicago-native reached the pinnacle of his career in 2011 with an unforgettable victory over John Cena at Money in the Bank for the WWE title. In 2014, Punk departed from WWE, citing burnout and health concerns. He then ventured into UFC, followed by a stint as a contributor on WWE Backstage in 2019. Punk's return to the squared circle occurred in 2021 when he joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW), achieving success but not without controversy. NEVER. SAY. NEVER. @CMPunk
Read More

Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban To Sell Majority Stake To Billionaire Miriam Adelson, Retaining Control of Team

Image
Photo: Instagram/Mark Cuban Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is reportedly selling a majority stake in the franchise to billionaire Miriam Adelson, the largest shareholder of Las Vegas Sands.  Despite the sale, Cuban is set to maintain control of the team, according to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Shams Charania. Miriam Adelson, known for her vast wealth and recent stock sale of approximately $2 billion in Las Vegas Sands, is entering the world of professional sports by acquiring a significant share of the Mavericks. Photo: Instagram/Mark Cuban The deal values the team at $3.5 billion, slightly below Forbes' recent valuation of $4.5 billion, ranking them as the seventh-most valuable NBA franchise. Cuban's strategic move aligns with his ambition to relocate the Mavericks to a new arena, ideally situated within a resort and casino.  This plan may involve a partnership with Las Vegas Sands, the world's largest casino company. However, the challenge lies in Texas' current
Read More

Randy Orton's Explosive Return Steals The Show at Survivor Series War Games

Image
Photo: Instagram/Randy Orton In a jaw-dropping 30-second twist during the War Games main event at Survivor Series in Chicago, Randy Orton made a triumphant return, leading his team to a spectacular victory.  The Allstate Arena echoed with dueling chants for CM Punk , Randy Orton, and even Seth Rollins' anthem, creating an electric atmosphere. The highly anticipated matchup featured The Judgment Day & Drew McIntyre facing off against Rollins, Cody Rhodes , Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and the surprise entrant, Randy Orton. Photo: Instagram/Randy Orton The crowd was treated to a compelling match, building anticipation for Orton's eventual entrance. When Randy Orton finally joined the fray, the arena erupted as he unleashed his signature moves, including clotheslines, the powerslam, and the iconic draping DDT.  THE VIPER IS BACK! @RandyOrton has arrived at #SurvivorSeries ! pic.twitter.com/AHsnL0Tg1X — WWE (@WWE) November 26, 2023   The moment was a cathartic release for the fans as
Read More

Rookie Sensation Victor Wembanyama Makes NBA History In Spurs vs. Nuggets Clash

Image
Photo: Instagram/Victor Wembanyama In a standout performance during the Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs game, rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama etched his name in NBA history.  Despite the Spurs' 12-straight losses, Wembanyama showcased his prowess with an extraordinary stat line of 22 points, 11 rebounds, 6 steals, 4 blocks, and 2 assists. Wembanyama's remarkable feat makes him the first rookie ever to achieve such a performance in a single game. Photo: Instagram/Victor Wembanyama Even when excluding rookie status, only four other players in NBA history, including James Harden in 2019, have matched or surpassed this exceptional line.  Notably, Wembanyama accomplished this in just 24 minutes and 56 seconds of play, making him the sole player on this elite list to achieve such stats in under 30 minutes. While the Spurs aim to reverse their current standings as the worst team in the Western Conference, Wembanyama's outstanding performance signals a promising future fo
Read More

James Harden Makes NBA History With 1,011th Career Game In Nuggets-Clippers Match

Image
Photo: Instagram/James Harden In a historic move, James Harden climbed the NBA's all-time games played list during the face-off between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday evening in California.  The seasoned player's 1,011th career regular-season game ties him with Jermaine O'Neal at 137th place. As he surpassed O'Neal, Harden eyes the next milestone set by Antonio McDyess at 1,015 games. Photo: Instagram/James Harden The 2018 MVP, who was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Clippers at the season's start, showcased his versatility with averages of 14.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Currently positioned as the 11th seed in the Western Conference with a 7-8 record, the Clippers recently clinched a victory against the Dallas Mavericks with a score of 107-88.  HARD3N pic.twitter.com/88c5CIYuKR — LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 28, 2023 In 28 minutes of play, Harden contributed eight points, four rebound
Read More

Harping On Harper Hempel: The Viral Video And The Truth Behind Jamal Murray's Girlfriend

Image
Photo: Instagram/Harper Hempel Harper Hempel gained significant attention alongside her boyfriend, Jamal Murray , in 2020 when a viral video featuring the couple emerged. Known for his exceptional skills, Murray is regarded as one of the most talented players in the NBA. Before being drafted by the Denver Nuggets , the Canadian athlete showcased his abilities during his tenure with the Kentucky Wildcats . At 25 years old, Murray has continued to impress for the Nuggets since being selected as the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. With each passing season, he has demonstrated remarkable improvement and played a key role in the team's success. Photo: Instagram/Jamal Murray and Harper Hempel Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restrictions on player movement, Murray's performance shone brightly, leading the Nuggets to the finals of the Western Conference. This marked Denver's first appearance in the conference finals since 2009,
Read More