Shaq claims he never really wanted to leave the Lakers

Former Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal was taken aback at how boldly he stated his desire to be traded upon hearing it replayed during a recent podcast.

“I remember a few things, but I don’t remember going on TV saying I want to be traded. That right there was a bold move," O'Neal said on The Big Podcast with Shaq. “Geez, I don’t believe I did that one.”

“I definitely did not want to leave LA,” O’Neal said. “But that’s how you talk when you are in business and you think you are in control.”