Basketball star Shaquille O'Neal is seeking to assuage the nationwide mortgage crisis by offering to buy the mortgages of homeowners who are drowning in high interest rate loans.

"I want to come in not to kick them out, but to work with them and save them so they can stay in their homes," O'Neal told the Orlando Sentinel during Tuesday at Orlando City Hall.

Shaq's plan is to sell the homes back to the troubled homeowners with more affordable terms, and turn a small profit for himself in the process.

"He's become a businessman with a conscience," said attorney Mark NeJame, who worked with the ball player's friend and realtor Curtis Cooper.

NeJame said Shaq might also develop an affordable-housing project, stating: "He's looking to find out where he can make a significant investment in Orlando -- specifically downtown Orlando -- but also all over Central Florida."