Shaq on how he would deal with the Bucks if he were in Giannis' position: "Pay me supermax and give me 10 percent of the team"

Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo has consistently stated that his ultimate goal is to compete for NBA championships, the current trajectory of the Milwaukee Bucks raises serious questions about how soon that ambition can be realized.

Milwaukee’s roster, while talented, does require time to fully blossom into a genuine title threat, which means wasting the Greek Freak’s prime years in mediocrity.

Despite the uncertainty, the two-time MVP has also expressed his desire to win with the Bucks and retire with the same franchise – a level of loyalty that prompted Shaquille O’Neal to offer some tongue-in-cheek advice.

The four-time NBA champion unapologetically advised Giannis that if he were to even consider committing long-term to the team, he should prioritize maximizing his financial security and thus presented a list of demands.

Shaq wants Giannis to make full use of his situation

Earlier in the year, reports circulated linking Giannis to potential destinations such as the New York Knicks, especially after the Bucks endured frustrating home losses that even led to boos from the home fans.

Naturally, such moments left the two-time MVP dejected. As rumors around his departure intensified, Giannis silenced all noise during the 2026 All-Star weekend by reaffirming his commitment to Milwaukee and his desire to build sustained success with the franchise that drafted him.

That public commitment prompted Shaq to give out unusual advice to Antetokounmpo. Speaking on ESPN’s “Unsportsmanlike” radio show, the former three-time Finals MVP remarked that if he were in Giannis’ position, he would leverage his status to ensure generational wealth. Put simply, beneath the message was a clear message that a superstar of Giannis’ caliber holds immense bargaining power and should use it wisely.

“Tell Milwaukee to pay me supermax and give me 10 percent of the team so I could stay, if not, I’m not,” O’Neal said when asked what he would do if he were Giannis. “Legal? No. But there are some loopholes.”

Giannis isn’t motivated by lucrative financial offers

For his part, Giannis has shown a willingness to do whatever is necessary to help Milwaukee return to championship contention. But if the Bucks truly want him satisfied, roster construction will be critical.

So, rather than allocating the majority of their resources solely toward a supermax extension, the front office may need to aggressively pursue additional All-Star, All-NBA-caliber players in the upcoming offseason.

As harsh as it might seem to admit, but clearly, with the team hovering outside the Play-In seeds in the East, they clearly need major upgrades.

That being said, while Shaq may frame his advice in jest, the broader reality remains serious. If Giannis and the Bucks hope to climb out of their current predicament together, it will require bold organizational moves.

So, if the team is to chase titles with Giannis while ruling out all trade speculations for at least a couple more seasons, they need to realize how much they would have to sacrifice in terms of depth and make smart, multi-team trades only to improve their standing in the Eastern Conference landscape.

If the improvement doesn’t happen, it’s only a matter of time before Giannis’ frustration reaches the boiling point.

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Shaq on how he would deal with the Bucks if he were in Giannis’ position: “Pay me supermax and give me 10 percent of the team”

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