Shaq’s one condition for Giannis if he leaves the Milwaukee Bucks: “Just make sure you’re in charge” originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been rumored to be looking for a new NBA home for the first time in his career. However, the Giannis trade talks have mellowed down a bit in the last week or so after “The Greek Freak” recently hinted that he’s staying put in Milwaukee. However, anything can still happen without an official word from Antetokounmpo or the Bucks.
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During the recent episode of “The Big Podcast,” co-host Adam Lefkoe asked Shaquille O’Neal where he thinks Antetokounmpo will play next season. Shaq said he wants to see Giannis leave Milwaukee.
“I would like to see him go somewhere. I don’t want to say that cuz I did it. I would like to see him do what he likes to do. If you want to team up with a couple of superstars to give you a better chance, I say do that. But if you do that, you have to be at the forefront of those superstars,” said O’Neal.
Don’t settle for a lesser role
O’Neal knows a thing or two about leaving. He was the next big thing in the NBA with the Orlando Magic when, at only 24 years old, he left the Orlando Magic in free agency to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Shaq went on to lead the Purple & Gold to a three-peat from 2000-02 before leaving again to team up with Dwyane Wade on the Miami Heat.
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But unlike the first time out when he was the “man” in Los Angeles, just like in Orlando, O’Neal took Wade’s backseat when he went to South Beach. And even if Shaquille added one more championship ring with the Heat, he never got to be the leading man on a team again after leaving Los Angeles, even if he was only 32 years old when he departed. The Diesel does not want The Greek Freak to suffer the same fate.
“So let’s just say he plays with Boom and Bam, he has to be the no.1 guy,” he added. “Don’t play with Boom and Bam, and you’re Bam. If he teams up with LeBron or KD or whoever, just make sure you’re in charge.”
Giannis has the choice to stay
Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the NBA right now. He already has won two MVPs, one Defensive Player of the Year award, a Finals MVP and, of course, an NBA title in 2021. He has made seven straight selections to the All-NBA First Team. And although Giannis has played 12 NBA seasons already, he is only 30 years old. With plenty of basketball left in his career, Shaq does not want the Greek Freak to settle for anything less.
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Coincidentally, Shaquille was also the main man on his teams for 12 years — four in Orlando and eight in Los Angeles, when he was traded to Miami. Like Antetokounmpo is right now, O’Neal was still in his prime. However, while the circumstances in Los Angeles forced Shaq to leave, Giannis has the choice to stay.
Miami was a great landing spot for O’Neal, and the championship justified that. But going to South Beach meant Shaq had to sacrifice a lot, including being the “man” on a franchise. We’ve seen superstar players lose their luster after forming super or stacked teams. It would be a pity to see that happen to Giannis. He is too great of a player for that, and Shaquille knows it.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.