NFL legend and sports personality Shannon Sharpe believes Scottie Pippen Jr. should request a trade and leave the Los Angeles Lakers after the franchise acquired Malik Beasley - who dated Pippen’s mum, Larsen.
Los Angeles made a few moves prior to the NBA Trade Deadline as they looked to surround LeBron James with the appropriate weapons to take advantage of his form in his twilight years. D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Beasley joined the Lakers via a mega trade that senT former MVP Russell Westbrook and his monster contract out of town.
The Lakers also traded for Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards late last month. The moves were likely orchestrated to try and push the Lakers up the Western Conference standings and into the playoffs as they sit three and a half games behind the Dallas Mavericks - who added Kyrie Irving to Luka Doncic in a blockbuster move - in the final secure playoff position.
However, Sharpe is adamant that Pippen must force his way out of Los Angeles. The 22-year-old is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, who won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls alongside Michael Jordan - and Beasley dated his ex-wife and teammate’s mother, Larsen, over two years ago.
As a result, Sharpe suggested that Pippen Jr. should demand to be traded away to prevent any friction that could come from practicing and competing alongside a man who dated his mother. During a recent episode of ‘Undisputed’, Sharpe told co-host Skip Bayless that Pippen Jr. should avoid playing with Beasley.
“If I’m Scotty Pippen Jr., I want a trade,” Sharpe said. “Malik Beasley coming on my team, I gotta go! I will fight it!”
The audience saw the funny side as they were familiar with the story he was referring to. Bayless questioned why, likely forcing Sharpe to spell it out for those in the dark over the context.
“You know why!” Sharpe declared. “I got to go, I want a divorce!”
Bayless tried to talk strictly about the basketball aspect of the move, insinuating that Pippen Jr. won’t play with Beasley - and therefore there is no problem - as he has fallen out of the Lakers’ rotation. Sharpe dismissed his co-host’s points though, insisting the rookie guard should not have to be teammates with someone who dated his mother.
“I just can’t play for the Lakers no more.” Sharpe added. “I want out!”
Meanwhile, Larsen Pippen is currently dating Marcus Jordan, the son of Michael, the six-time champion, five-time MVP and man deemed by many to be the greatest player in NBA history. It appears both Pippen Sr. and Pippen Jr. can’t catch a break.
The 28-32 Lakers face the Mavericks in their next clash on Sunday evening. Dallas own a 32-29 record to sit sixth in the Western Conference, seven spots above Los Angeles.
