Shaq’s son Shaqir O’Neal shares Luka Doncic’s first picture after blockbuster trade to LA Lakers

Shaquille O'Neal’s son Shaqir O’Neal took to Instagram on Monday to share a snapshot of NBA player Luka Doncic after a blockbuster trade to the LA Lakers. The NBA world was buzzing after a trade sent Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Amid the excitement, Shaqir added fuel to the hype by sharing a photo of Doncic seemingly embracing his new chapter, making the LA sign after he arrived in Los Angeles.

Shaq’s son Shaqir O’Neal shares Luka Doncic’s first picture after blockbuster trade to LA Lakers - Image source: Instagram/shaqironeall

The news broke when NBA insider, Shams Charania tweeted on Sunday that the Dallas Mavericks had traded Luke Doncic to the LA Lakers for Anthony Davis in a deal that included other players.

The move to the Lakers represents a shift in Doncic’s career. The 25-year old averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists, shooting 46.4% for Mavericks this season. Doncic will join NBA superstar LeBron James on the Lakers roster for the rest of the season.

When Shaquille O’Neal spoke about seeing himself in his son Shaqir

Shaquille O’Neal, the Hall of Fame NBA legend, described his son Shaqir’s intensity and athletic prowess, comparing it to his own during his playing days in his 2011 memoir Shaq Uncut. Shaq highlighted the similarities between Shaqir and his older brother, Shareef. While both brothers share remarkable athletic abilities, Shaq noted one key difference: Shaqir’s ferocity.

“My youngest son, Shaqir, has many of the same athletic qualities as Shareef, but he’s my mean, ferocious guy,” Shaq said.

The former Lakers superstar revealed that this fiery nature runs in the family, passed down from his father and is now evident in Shaqir.

“He’s got that fiery streak in him that both my father and I have,” Shaq said. This intense drive, which helped Shaq dominate the NBA and earn his Hall of Fame stature, is something he proudly sees in his son.

Shaq recounted a pivotal moment when his mother, Lucille O’Neal, pointed out the resemblance between him and Shaqir.

“One day my mom came over, and Shaqir did something crazy,” Shaq said. “She put her fork down and said, ‘That’s you [Shaq] right there, boy.”

This affirmation was all Shaq needed to declare Shaqir his “twin.” He added, “So I tell Shaqir he’s my twin.”

Shaq has been a tremendous inspiration for Shaqir, the “fiery streak” they share could be crucial to Shaqir’s success, whether on or off the court.