The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to add talent in any way possible this offseason. Rob Pelinka has confirmed that the team is interested in “buying” a second-round pick in this year’s draft and the Lakers could also target the undrafted free-agent pool.
Austin Reaves became a valuable role player for the team after being an undrafted free agent last season. The Lakers have such an eye for talent and have been great in developing this talent. Any late-round pick or undrafted player the team brings in should be taken seriously.
A new potential target for the Lakers has emerged as Shareef O’Neal, son of Shaquille O’Neal, is reportedly working out with the team. O’Neal’s college career never took off after he had to have heart surgery and his overall collegiate numbers are less than impressive. That being said, O’Neal entered college as a top prospect, so there is potential there.
How Shareef O’Neal would fit on the Los Angeles Lakers:
Despite being the son of one of the greatest centers of all time, Shareef O’Neal is likely not going to be drafted in the 2022 NBA Draft. The Lakers do not have to “buy” a second-round pick in order to bring in O’Neal as he should go undrafted.
It is also very unlikely that O’Neal would make the NBA team in his first season. O’Neal needs far more developing as a player and his skillset simply would not translate to the NBA well in year one. Most importantly, O’Neal needs to develop a shot as he is not a jump-shooter but also does not have the size to dominate near the rim.
As mentioned, the Lakers have been fantastic in developing undrafted free agents and there is nothing wrong with taking a chance on O’Neal and developing him with the South Bay Lakers. There is no harm in doing so and who knows, perhaps he can come full circle and live up to the hype that was around him when he was coming out of high school.
Shaquille O’Neal has done so much for this franchise. Throwing his son a bone and just giving him the chance to live out his NBA dream is the least the Lakers could do.
Fans should not get overly excited about the Los Angeles Lakers potentially bringing in Shareef O’Neal but they should keep an eye on him while he is potentially playing in South Bay.