After winning the NBA title in 2020, the Los Angeles Lakers followed that up by having a disaster of a season in 2021-22. The NBA recently added two more teams to the playoffs in each Conference in a play-in tournament, meaning the 7th through 10th place teams have a chance to qualify. Even with the extra spots, the Lakers failed to make it, finishing in 11th place in the Western Conference with a measly 33-49 record.
So what happens in professional sports when the team underperforms badly? Well, you fire the coach, which is exactly what the Lakers did — giving Frank Vogel the axe earlier this month.
Former Laker great Shaquille O’Neal is offering up his services and all it would cost the organization is $100 million.
Recently, rapper and huge basketball fan Master P said he would like to be the new coach in L.A. and he would bring on Shaq as an assistant. On his Podcast, O’Neal was having none of that, as he stated he wants to be the Head Coach, but it would come with a hefty price tag… $25 million over four years.
That is highly unlikely to happen, as it is more than double the $11 million per year Spurs coach and 5 time World Champion Gregg Popovich makes.
Shaq is one of the most entertaining, charismatic and beloved basketball players of all time. The Lakers can certainly afford him. Come on, L.A. Make this happen!
