Shaquille O'Neal Talks Kristaps Porzingis Trade Rumors, Lonzo Ball and Lakers
Basketball Hall of Fame member Shaquille O'Neal believes the New York Knicks should make Kristaps Porzingis the face of the franchise rather than deal him away amid recent trade speculation.
TMZ Sports passed along comments Shaq made Tuesday during an American Express Teamed Up event in New York City as the Porzingis rumors were heating up.
"Keep Porzingis and trade everybody else around him," O'Neal said. "Try to build around him. This kid's got a great future."
On Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported Knicks president Phil Jackson "isn't ruling out" the idea of trading the Latvian power forward. Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog noted the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs have all reached out to New York with interest.
However, Chris Mannix of The Vertical said there was "skepticism" about the chances of a deal due to the Knicks' "extremely high" price tag.
Meanwhile, Shaq also told TMZ Sports the Lakers would be in good hands if they select UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball with the second overall pick in Thursday's draft.
"He's a great player," the 15-time NBA All-Star and current TNT analyst said. "He makes his teammates better."
He made the endorsement despite previously taking a shot at Lonzo's father, LaVar Ball, on social media for placing a $495 price tag on the top prospect's first signature shoe through the Big Baller Brand:
The Lakers are in the market for a point guard in the draft after reportedly trading D'Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, per Wojnarowski. It makes Ball or Kentucky counterpart De'Aaron Fox the likely choice, assuming Washington's Markelle Fultz goes first to the Sixers.
