Shaquille O’Neal shockingly reveals asking billionaire Mark Cuban to bring him to Dallas Mavericks

Shaq esteems Mark Cuban as a 'down-to-earth' person.

Shaquille O’Neal shockingly reveals asking billionaire Mark Cuban to bring him to Dallas Mavericks

Shaquille O'Neal and Mark Cuban

Former Los Angeles Lakers and NBA legend, Shaquille O’Neal has been in the headlines lately regarding his recent revelations alongside Dirk Nowitzki on “The Big Podcast.” O’Neal had been one of the most popular players in the NBA back in his time. From Shaq’s recent claims, it seems if he had his way, NBA fans could have watched Nowitzki and O’Neal in the same team.

On The Big Podcast, O’Neal claimed that he spoke to the then-Mavs’ billionaire owner Mark Cuban to arrange for a possible trade so that he could play for the Mavs. O’Neal also claimed that the Lakers did not want to trade him to the Mavs and ended up trading him to the Miami Heat instead. However, one can only imagine the carnage caused in the NBA if O’Neal had been traded to the Mavs back then.

Trust me, I tried to get to Dallas many times, Me and Mark [Cuban] was working behind the scenes, like right after I [wanted to leave] L.A., Mark was the first person I called, but [former Lakers General Manager] Mitch Kupchak didn't want to trade me to Mark so they ended up [sending] me to Miami.
Shaquille O’Neal said on “The Big Podcast”

On the sports side, O’Neal has always been a top professional for whichever side he has played for in the NBA. He boasts of an illustrious basketball career, winning 4 NBA championships during his time in the league. Some of O’Neal’s achievements include winning the MVP award in 1999–2000, being named the 1992–93 NBA Rookie of the Year, being selected for 15 All-Star games, winning three All-Star Game MVP awards, and winning three Finals MVP awards.

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Shaquille O’Neal once praised Mark Cuban for his “down-to-earth” nature

Shaquille O’Neal has always been full of praise for the Dallas Mavericks‘ former majority owner Mark Cuban. While O’Neal’s possible move to the Mavs had not materialized, it did not affect Cuban’s relationship with O’Neal.

Notably, in a lighthearted interview back in 2020, Shaquille O’Neal was asked by Mark Carman of FanSided.com who would replace Adam Silver as commissioner if it came down to him and Mark Cuban. Shaq answered in favor of Cuban without missing a beat.

Adam [Silver] does a great job, he really does. He let’s the players do whatever they want, I commend him for that. And Mark would probably be the same way. Mark is a guy that you can talk to. Mark’s a guy that, if you see him on the street, you can strike up a conversation with him and he doesn’t act like Mark Cuban the billionaire, he acts like Mark Cuban that’s wearing a t-shirt and jeans.
Shaquille O’Neal said via FanSided

O’Neal described Cuban as approachable and down-to-earth. He mentioned that Cuban interacts with people without putting on airs, despite his billionaire status.

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