“We still run that franchise, if they wanna sell it to us, we're ready to go right now” - Shaquille O’Neal claims he’s ready to buy Orlando Magic, says DeVos family should sell it to someone who can take it to the next level
Following the NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic have to be feeling good about the direction they are heading. With the first pick, they selected Duke forward Paolo Banchero to join their already exciting young core.
The Orlando Magic were at the bottom of the Eastern Conference this past season, but that could quickly change this time next year. After years of rebuilding, they finally have the pieces in place to start becoming competitive again.
@brhoopsWith the No. 1 pick, the Magic select Paolo Banchero 🔥 @brhoops
Banchero, Jalen Suggs, Franz, Cole Anthony. Orlando's young core should be fun to watch 🍿 https://t.co/95qjvivu0P
One person who clearly sees the direction the Orlando Magic are heading is Shaquille O'Neal. On and episode of 'The Big Professor' podcast, he talked about how he wants to be the owner of the franchise. This would be a feel-good moment for O'Neal, who was drafted first overall by the Magic back in 1992.
"Listen we still run that franchise (Magic). If they wanna sell it to us, DeVos family, we're ready to go right now... This message go out to the DeVos family, if you're ready to sell Orlando Magic, sell it to somebody who's gonna take it to the next level, that's us."
O'Neal also wants his former teammate Dennis Scott to get in on the action. The sharpshooting forward was drafted fourth overall by the Orlando Magic back in 1990. O'Neal feels that the two of them can use their NBA experience to help get the franchise where it wants to be.
"D Scott and then, D Scott can pick everybody else. Smart people combined with common sense people and people that's been there before, you can't go wrong."
Shaquille O'Neal is right for wanting to become an owner of the Orlando Magic
Given that he's built a reputation for being a successful businessman, it's shocking that he hasn't tried to become an owner of an NBA franchise yet. That being said, he has his sights set on the right franchise. From a value perspective, the Orlando Magic might be one of the best investments in the NBA right now.
Led by young standouts Cole Anthony and Franz Wagner, the Magic already have some of the building blocks for the future. Adding a prospect with star potential in Paolo Banchero to the mix can help take them to the next level. In his lone season at Duke, he averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.
LFG @Pp_doesit 🏁 https://t.co/GmUsVbLJll
With O'Neal as an owner, Orlando can develop a new culture from top to bottom. On top of that, having one of the most dominant players in history mentor young players will certainly get the most out of them.