
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: Shaquille O’Neal attends the WBC heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder at T-Mobile Arena on October 09, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: Shaquille O’Neal attends the WBC heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder at T-Mobile Arena on October 09, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Amidst all trade rumors, Shaquille O’Neal has made his views clear?the Los Angeles Lakers will regret trading LeBron James. Despite James’ dominant performance, the team has failed to perform as expected. With the NBA playoffs nearing, many have hinted at James leaving the Lakers so they can regroup.
O’Neal, however, believes that it would be a mistake.
Fans had their own views on O’Neal’s comments, not entirely convinced.
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Fans react to Shaquille O’Neal’s comments about the Lakers and LeBron James
Now, while some fans agreed with O’Neal, many were unimpressed with his comments. Some pointed out that after O’Neal was traded to the Miami Heat, the Lakers won later in 2009 and 2010. Some supported O’Neal by adding that if James was indeed traded, no one would want to play with the team later.
READ MORE: Former Lakers And Celtics Veteran Signs For Michael Jordan?s Hornets On A 10-Day NBA Contract
Acquiring James did win them a title in 2020.
However, many added that O’Neal does not really know what he is talking about. For some fans, the Lakers could trade James and maybe build around Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis. Long-time Lakers fans added that they won before James was a part of the team, and will win later.
Cause they had Kobe…who on the Lakers is remotely on that level to carry them to 2 championships without LeBron???
— 𝙑𝙀𝙉𝙂𝙔. (@ImJustREVENGE) February 28, 2022
That’s 100% true Lmaoo if other stars see this they would never come to the lakers
— Lakers SZN (@Samuell989) February 28, 2022
Trading debatably the greatest player of all time would be shameful man. Also this “experiment” won them a championship why would they trade him???
— Dumby (@fatboyharden) February 28, 2022
Championships of turnovers maybe
— _Mirak🇸🇳⭐️ (@UTDmirak) February 28, 2022
Guess the Lakers never won a championship till LeBron arrived in LA. Can’t believe Shaq is saying this. We won chips without LeBron, we’ll win many many more without him. We can’t mortgage our future to help LeBron win another chip, we’ve done a lot of that already. Trade him
— 👑K7NG👑 (@7G7A7D) March 1, 2022
https://twitter.com/Nankie09041370/status/1498444404096483333?s=20&t=OY-g2EADU69ot4CfV5oC6A
WITH him we have nothing bruh, you paying attention?
— NFG (Adept) (@sportsbruh420) February 28, 2022
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What exactly did Shaquille O’Neal say?
During a recent interview with CNBC, O’Neal opened up about his views on the Lakers. ?If you trade LeBron, you?ll never win again,??O?Neal said. He further added that the people in charge need to fix the team, probably indicating that they need to take responsibility. If James has the right people playing with him, he might lead the team to victory again.

USA Today via Reuters
Feb 12, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after being called for a foul against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
O’Neal himself was traded to the Heat in 2004, right after they won a three-peat (2000-2002). He won a title with the Heat later on, and Bryant?as mentioned, brought home two more titles.
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READ MORE: Shaquille O?Neal Issues a Stern Warning to Lakers About Trading LeBron James
Of course, irrespective of one’s opinion, a scenario cannot be predicted. The Lakers, on their end, are currently eligible for the play-in tournament and still have a good shot at the playoffs. James, at the tail-end of his career, is leading the team with a 29 PPG average.
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