Giannis Antetokounmpo could seal his future with the Milwaukee Bucks in October 2026. He is eligible for a four-year, $275 million contract extension. This means he would be with the organization through the 2030-31 season. But wait, Shaquille O’Neal has an alternative, and maybe a better one.

In the present situation, what would the LA Lakers legend do if he were Giannis? “Tell Milwaukee to pay me a super max and give me 10% of the team so I can stay; if not, I’m out,” Shaq declared. Well, owning a team is illegal for active stars. “Not legal, but you know, loopholes,” O’Neal added.

Simply put, the 31-year-old Greek star could acquire a small portion of the $4.3 billion empire from Jimmy Haslam & Co. To be precise, he could become a part-owner and get $403 million alongwith the $275 million extension. That totals to a whopping $705 million.

Shaquille O’Neal‘s likely argument is that Giannis does not need a big market like Los Angeles to grow his brand because social media gives stars global reach anywhere. However, he stressed control. He urged Giannis to stay in charge, protect his family, and secure career stability. Moreover, he warned that franchises always act in their own interest, so Giannis must prioritize his own future first.

However, the NBA bars active players from owning teams. Article 35A of the CBA clearly blocks any current player from holding direct or indirect ownership or financial interest in a franchise. The rule has existed since at least 2005 to prevent conflicts of interest and protect competitive balance. Moreover, any violation counts as a salary cap breach. Therefore, the league treats ownership stakes by active players as a serious competitive issue.

News served to you like never before!

Prefer us on Google, To get latest news on feed

Prefer Us on Google

Meanwhile, the 2023 CBA created narrow exceptions. Players may invest indirectly through an approved player fund, similar to mutual funds buying stakes across teams, or hold under 1% in a publicly traded company that owns a franchise. Still, direct ownership of any single team remains off-limits. After retirement, opportunities open up. Michael Jordan became the Hornets’ majority owner, and Grant Hill holds a minority stake in the Hawks after earlier ties to the Grizzlies.

But while Shaq sits, offering monetary and contractual advice to Giannis, his former team, the Lakers, are seemingly cooking up a plan to acquire the star.

Shaquille O’Neal’s Lakers have a Giannis Antetokounmpo plan

During last summer’s meeting with Luka Doncic, the Lakers laid everything out. They showed their cap sheet and admitted that real flexibility will not arrive until 2026, with major space possible in 2027. That timeline lines up with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s potential free agency. Therefore, every deal matters.

Austin Reaves turned down a four-year $89.2 million extension to chase a five-year $241 million max. His new deal would start around $41 to $42 million annually. Meanwhile, Giannis could command four years at $275 million, roughly $60 to $70 million per season. Add Doncic’s $49.8 million in 2026-27, and the tax apron tightens fast under the CBA.

Consequently, the front office faces a brutal call. Pay Reaves now, or protect a path to Giannis. Reaves earned a max. Still, the bigger vision complicates it. The books explain the patience. Outgoing money could reach about $128.1 million in 2026 to 27 and $47.6 million in 2027 to 28 if free agents leave.

The Lakers owe Luka Doncic $49.8 million, followed by $53.7 million the next season. Jarred Vanderbilt carries $12.4 million, then $13.2 million. Dalton Knecht, Bronny James, and Adou Thiero remain on smaller deals.

Therefore, a clear window forms. The summer of 2027 is when Giannis could truly hit free agency, though that rarely happens. Los Angeles can pursue a trade in 2026 or wait for cap space in 2027. Either route demands discipline now.

So now it’s upto Giannis Antetokounmpo what he wants. Will he follow Shaquille O’Neal’s suggestion or wait for the LA Lakers to have an opening in the 2026 offseason or the one after that?