Media

Shaquille O’Neal unveils hefty asking price to become next head coach of Lakers

Published by
Peter Dewey

Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal revealed what it would take for him to coach the Lakers next season.

“If the Lakers offered me $25 million a year for four years, I would coach the Lakers,” O’Neal said.

O’Neal’s hefty asking price, and his lack of coaching experience, would certainly take him out of the running for the job as the next head coach of the Lakers.

The Lakers are looking to replace Frank Vogel, who was let go following the 2021-22 season.

Despite winning an NBA title with the Lakers in the 2019-20 season, Vogel had an extremely short leash after the team struggled in the 2021-22 campaign. The Lakers failed to make the playoffs this season, and that seemed to be the final straw for the veteran coach.

Through his three seasons as the Lakers’ head coach, Vogel compiled a 127-98 record and won 18 playoff games, including an NBA Finals.

O’Neal, who is one of the greatest players in Lakers history, currently is an NBA analyst on TNT. During his playing career, O’Neal won four NBA titles and was a 15-time All-Star.

The Hall of Famer averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 58.2 percent from the field during his time in the NBA.

Los Angeles has a lot of major decisions to make this offseason, but hiring the right head coach to turn the team around may be the biggest. O’Neal won’t be in that conversation, but at least the Lakers and the rest of the NBA know his price range.

Peter Dewey

Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.

Published by
Peter Dewey

Recent Posts

Jordan and Shaq’s ex-teammate discredits LeBron’s ‘bubble’ ring after he’s called Lakers legend

The Los Angeles Lakers have sky-high expectations compared to the lion's share of other NBA…

December 21, 2024

‘LeBron makes the trades’: Carmelo Anthony speaks out on chances of Lakers dealing LeBron James

Amid chatter about the future of 20-time All-Star LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers,…

December 20, 2024

DeMarcus Cousins says he and Anthony Davis would’ve helped Pelicans become contenders if not for ‘dumba-s’ Dell Demps

Former All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins called out former New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell…

December 19, 2024

Darvin Ham fires massive shot at Lakers: ‘Anywhere else I’m probably looking at an extension’

Darvin Ham has had more NBA Cup success than any coach in the league since…

December 18, 2024

Bobby Portis on the difference between the Bucks and the Lakers: ‘We’re not Hollywood’

The Milwaukee Bucks captured the 2024 NBA Cup title with a 97-81 victory over the…

December 18, 2024

Report: Lakers are not interested in shopping LeBron, Anthony Davis unless they ask out

Perhaps no two players have contributed more to the Los Angeles Lakers since the start…

December 18, 2024