NBA Draft rumors: Shaquille O’Neal’s son to work out for the Los Angeles Lakers

According to NBA Draft rumors, Shaquille O’Neal‘s son, Shareef O’Neal, is getting a chance to work out for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Hang around long enough and the names on an NBA roster will turn over. The players you watched get drafted will play out their careers and slide into retirement. And, for fans of a certain age, you get treated to the jarring sight of seeing the children of your childhood heroes make their way into the league.

The ranks of college basketball are loaded with the children of NBA players and this year’s draft class could include at least two NBA children — Ron Harper Jr. and Shareef O’Neal.

The son of Shaquille O’Neal is a fringe prospect, likely to land in the second round if he is selected but he’s at least going to have a chance to make his case to the Los Angeles Lakers.

What are the latest NBA Draft rumors about Shareef O’Neal?

O’Neal (the younger) played one season at UCLA before transferring to LSU, his father’s alma mater, for two more years. He was mostly a bit player for both teams, averaging 11.0 minutes, 2.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per game across his three seasons. At 6-foot-10 and 225 pounds, he has NBA size but has never been able to turn his physical tools into reliable production at the next level.

The biggest barrier to the idea of O’Neal (the younger) getting drafted by the Lakers is the fact that they don’t actually have a pick in this year’s draft. Their first-round pick is owed to the New Orleans Pelicans, their second to the San Antonio Spurs. However, second-round picks, particularly late ones, are often available in a trade, assuming the Lakers like what they see.

O’Neal (the elder) is one of the most storied players in Lakers’ history. He averaged 27.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.5 blocks per game across eight seasons in Los Angeles, winning three rings and an MVP along the way.