Shaquille O’Neal Wants $25M More Than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Wild Motive After Major Snub

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s bag is looking real heavy these days, and Shaq isn’t exactly loving it. Remember when he tried to reel SGA in for Reebok’s big rebrand? With Shai’s Converse deal set to expire in 2024, Shaquille O’Neal thought he had his shot. But reality check—Reebok just didn’t have that kind of money. “Imma sign Shai, I’ma sign all these players. But hollering at their agents, the m—— wants $60 million. And now I gotta go back to the Board and they said, ‘Man, you ain’t got $60 million,’” Shaq admitted. Now? He’s side-eyeing the $70M price tag on SGA.

Shaq might be retired, but his ‘professional jealousy’ is alive and kicking. And right now, it’s locked in on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While chatting on Ausmerican Aces, O’Neal admitted, “I’m the type that jealousy motivates me, and I’m very jealous of the contracts that they are making. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: well deserved. He’s making 70, but if you pay him 70, I’m going have my agent Danny start off my negotiations at 95. Per year tax-free.”

And to be fair, SGA just set a new standard. In July, the Finals MVP agreed to a four-year, $285 million supermax extension to stay in Oklahoma City through 2030–31. That’s the richest deal in league history by annual average, paying him an unprecedented $71.25 million per year—the first NBA player to cross the $70 million line. The contract kicks in during the 2027–28 season, with yearly payouts climbing from $63.5 million to $78.8 million. He even cut ties with his agent, Thad Foucher of Wasserman, in February, saving himself up to $11.4 million in commission.

Interestingly, Shaq might have been able to start his negotiations today for $25 million more, because back in his prime, he too snagged the biggest deal of his era. In 1996, O’Neal signed what was then the largest contract in sports history—seven years, $120 million with the Lakers. The Orlando Magic had only offered him four years, $54 million, and even ran a poll where 91.3% of fans said he wasn’t worth big money. Shaq didn’t blink. And the checks didn’t stop there. He later signed the max extension allowed, pulling $21.4 million in 2001-02, $23.5 million in 2002-03, $24.7 million in 2003-04, and finally, $27.6 million in 2004-05.

But the real shocker? The motive. The reason Shaquille would demand more than SGA or anyone else is wild. “I wish I was playing now. I can make some of these sissies cry,” Shaq said with a grin, and you could almost picture him meaning it. At 7’1 and 325 pounds, his presence alone was terrifying back in his prime. But for him, it’s deeper than size—he’s always believed he’d dominate today because it’s less physical. In his mind, that’s where his strength, athleticism, and force would shine, even going as far as comparing himself to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

And when Nikola Jokić’s name came up, Shaq didn’t blink. He respects the three-time MVP, but he’s not backing down. “Playoffs, I would probably be 40, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks,” he said confidently. Sure, he admitted Jokic’s shooting and passing would be tough to guard, but then he doubled down: “First 10 possessions I am going at him. He’s either going to have to foul me or double me… If he fouls me two or three times, he would definitely be on the bench.” Classic Shaq—respectful, but never stepping off the throne.

So yeah, Shaq might just have a way to work the system. He’s said it countless times—jealousy pushed him to greatness. On The Big Podcast, he told Desi Banks, “As a youngster, I always used professional jealousy to motivate me. For example, when I came in, it was Charles [Barkley], and Mike [Michael Jordan], and Magic [Johnson]. And I said to myself, I want all their spot!” That fire carried him through a Hall of Fame career—19 seasons, 6 teams, 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.3 blocks per game, 15 All-Star appearances, 1 MVP, 3 Finals MVPs, 4 championships, and a 2016 Hall of Fame induction.

Shaq Doubts, Shai Delivers

Shaq didn’t even flinch when asked if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just had the “greatest individual year” in NBA history. His answer? Straight-up blunt. “I don’t know about that. But he had a great year. I don’t know about the greatest, but he did have a great year.” That’s classic Shaq—giving credit, but also holding back the crown. For him, nobody’s touching Hakeem Olajuwon’s legendary 1993–94 run when he snatched both MVP and DPOY, then dragged Houston to its first-ever title while playing 43 minutes a night.

But here’s where things get interesting—because SGA’s résumé from 2024–25 is no joke. The guy led the league in scoring at 32.7 a game, put up a 72-game streak of 20+ points (the longest since Wilt in ’64!), and dropped not one, but two 50-balls—54 against the Jazz and 51 against the Rockets. He didn’t just score, he won. OKC went 68–14, the best record in the league and tied for fifth-best all-time, before he took them all the way to their first championship in over 40 years. Oh, and he did it while edging out Nikola Jokić, who was having a career year himself, for MVP.

So yeah, Shaq’s point about Hakeem grinding 43 minutes a night is fair. But let’s be real—Shai was rewriting history books while averaging an efficient 37.0 minutes in the playoffs, a testament to his team’s depth. Third straight All-Star, Finals MVP, scoring champ, a 68-14 regular-season record, and a seven-game Finals win with a payroll ranked 24th in the league? If that’s not one of the greatest individual seasons ever, it’s definitely sitting at the same table.