Atlanta, Dallas and Boston are believed to be interested in the Diesel. One report claims O'Neal would be interested in those teams, and maybe the Cavaliers, too, if LeBron James stays in Cleveland.
Though not the dominant player he once was, Shaquille O'Neal is drawing interest from some top teams.Observers rank the top free agents, usually with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade at the top of the list.
Such players overshadow the free agent who has had the most accomplished career, Shaquille O'Neal - arguably one of the five or so best centers in NBA history.
O'Neal, though, is 38 and in the twilight of his career. He played on the Cavaliers with James last season, averaging career-lows in minutes (23.4), points (12.0) and rebounds (6.7).
Still, it's no surprise that there is interest in the 7-1, 350-or-so-pound O'Neal. Tim Povtak writes for nba.fanhouse.com that the Atlanta Hawks have, maybe, turned their interest into something more tangible:
Free-agent center Shaquille O'Neal is seriously considering a two-year deal with the Hawks that starts at the mid-level exception of $5.8 million, according to NBA sources close to both the team and the future Hall of Fame player.
O'Neal, whose past season in Cleveland with LeBron James ended in disappointment, has been working out the past two weeks in Orlando, where he makes his offseason home.
(Joe) Johnson, over the weekend, agreed to sign with the Hawks for the six-year, $119 million maximum allowable contract with the Hawks. Free-agent signings can't begin until July 8. Johnson was told by management that the Hawks intended to make significant changes to their roster, including the possible addition of O'Neal.
"I think he wants to see how everything shakes out with all the free agents, but he's seriously considering Atlanta's offer,'' said the source who asked that his name not be used. "He wants to play two more years, and he wants it to be with a contender. He thinks he can help them become a serious one.''
Chris Broussard writes on ESPN.com that not only the Hawks, but the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks are interested in O'Neal. His report differs from NBA Fanhouse's, as he writes:
An AOL Fanhouse report on Monday said O'Neal has been offered a two-year deal starting at the mid-level exception by Atlanta and that O'Neal is seriously considering it. However, his agent, Perry Rogers, denied that an offer had been made.
"We have had no offers from the Hawks,'' Rogers said.
O'Neal would be interested in playing for each of the three teams, sources close to him said.
Like so many free agents, what O'Neal ultimately does could be affected by James' decision on what team to play for. Broussard writes:
If LeBron James re-signs with Cleveland, O'Neal, who has played 18 seasons, would also be open to returning to the Cavaliers, according to one of the sources. Cleveland is one of the few teams that could pay O'Neal more than the mid-level exception.