Shaquille O’Neal has never been shy about sharing bold basketball opinions, but his latest take might surprise fans.
In a recent conversation with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on Scoop B Selects, the Hall of Famer said he believes Kevin Durant’s move to the Houston Rockets could end up being one of the most overlooked — and most impactful — changes of the offseason.
When asked what he considered the most underrated move, Shaq admitted he doesn’t usually keep close tabs on player shuffling in the summer. But one name stood out. “You know, I don’t pay attention to the offseason,” Shaq said. “But I would probably say Kevin Durant going to Houston probably can turn out to be something very special.”
For him, the pairing of Durant with young center Alperen Şengün is the kind of combination that could reshape a franchise. Shaq even gave Şengün a nickname: “The Turkish Terminator, that’s what we call him. I actually love his game and hopefully they can put something special together.”
O’Neal has long championed the importance of dominant big men, even joking during the interview that he’s the “Dundada of the Big Man Alliance.”
His respect for Şengün’s skill set shows he sees the Rockets’ 22-year-old center as a throwback in some ways — a player who can balance finesse with power. Add Durant’s scoring versatility to the mix, and Shaq believes Houston may have found a formula for real success.
The conversation also touched on other stars across the league. Shaq pointed out how much he enjoys watching Luka Dončić and LeBron James, calling them a duo that could push for another Lakers championship if they can stay consistent. “Here in L.A., we expect championships,” he said. “Hopefully, they can get it done this year.”
As for his own career after basketball, Shaq confirmed that fans won’t have to wait until Christmas Day to see him and the Inside the NBA crew. He revealed they’ll be shooting a special show once or twice a week, keeping their presence alive despite the new ESPN schedule.