Giannis Antetokounmpo might not be looking to leave Milwaukee yet, but one potential destination keeps being brought up: the Lakers.
Bright lights, Hollywood, legacy, the ‘Home of the King’, who doesn’t like the sound of that. But one Lakers legend isn’t sold.
In fact, Shaquille O’Neal has straight up warned Giannis about the Lakers.
“If you go to L.A., 50% of your contract goes to taxes, more pressure and more stress,” Shaq said during a recent episode of the Good Word podcast. “Giannis has made a name for himself on social media. A bigger market doesn’t matter anymore. Social media is the market now.”
Shaq knows a thing or two about being the face of the Lakers. He joined them in ’96, won three rings with Kobe, and became a global icon.
So, when he warns about the pressure, the distractions, and the expectations, it’s not just talk, it’s experience. Something Giannis should deeply consider.
Shaq continued, “Being that he’s in control of that ship, he should go upstairs and be like ‘I want to see all the free agents, I want phone numbers and I want to talk to them.’ He should bring people to him.”
While fans love the idea of Giannis in purple and gold, pulling it off is a whole different story.
The Bucks aren’t just going to hand over a two-time MVP for a package centered around Austin Reaves and a couple of picks, unless Giannis forces it.
Giannis is locked into a deal worth $174 million over the next three years. When that clock starts ticking louder, teams like the Lakers will be lurking. But Shaq’s message? Be the king of your castle. Not another name in the L.A. pressure cooker.
Because in today’s NBA, as O’Neal put it: “This ain’t the ‘90s anymore.”
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