Shaquille O'Neal weighs in on NBA Draft lottery amid controversial results
Despite entering the lottery with just odds the Dallas Mavericks landed the top selection for this year's upcoming NBA Draft The unexpected upshot sparked countless theories across the sports world Numerous floated theories suggesting the NBA granted the Mavs a favor after the unit traded superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February Dallas will now have the opportunity to draft Duke standout Cooper Flagg Former Lakers star Shaquille O Neal became one of the latest high-profile figures to chime in on the debate The four-time NBA champion recalled a story from about late NBA Commissioner David Stern CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS COMO'Neal who was drafted by the Orlando Magic in claimed Stern approached him before that year's draft lottery and inquired about his preferred NBA destination NBA GREAT SHAQUILLE O'NEAL FLOATS THEORY ON BLUE ORIGIN FLIGHT He pulled me to the side You want to play where it s cold or where it s hot O Neal commented He required me that I commented hot and then he smiled and I smiled A scant months later O'Neal watched as Orlando Charlotte and Minnesota landed the top three picks Minnesota was No Charlotte was No and then Orlando Florida was No he explained I was like while making a questioning face I didn t think much about it You hear a lot of these conspiracy theories There are a lot of situations that can make these things sound good O Neal declared he yearned to avoid using the phrase conspiracy theory but he did describe the situation as very engaging Follow Fox News Digital s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter
