The Los Angeles Lakers know that they need to build for the future and one spot is the center position. It has been manned by big names in the past and one potential successor is Shareef O’Neal, the son of former Lakers’ center Shaquille O’Neal.
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the 6-foot-10 cager has workouts scheduled with several NBA teams and the Lakers are one of them.
O’Neal, who transferred from UCLA to LSU ahead of the 2020-21 season, missed much of the past two seasons due to a foot injury. He made his season debut with the Tigers on Jan. 12 and averaged 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 14 games.
Shareef participated in the NBA G-League Elite Camp last month, measuring a 7-foot-1 wingspan and produced 11 points, 10 rebounds and three assists during his second scrimmage game per USA Today.
There was a bit of confusion at first. After being one of the early entries, O’Neal’s name was absent from the list of rookie hopefuls. It turns out that his name was mistakenly included in the list of withdrawals during the draft process according to a report by Shams Charania.
Aside from the Lakers, other teams where Shareef O’Neal will be working out include the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards.
Critics do not project him to be drafted, meaning any chance of making it to the NBA and following his dad’s footsteps may have to go through free agency. One reason seen is his ability to stay healthy for long stretches.
Further, he could be viewed more as a developmental piece. This means there is a possibility that O’Neal may have to hone his craft and spend some time in the NBA G-League and hope some team calls him up.
The 2022 NBA Draft is set for June 23.
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