Breaking News: Shaquille O’Neal gave fascinating $90m Luka Doncic prediction which could be about to come true

Shaquille O’Neal gave fascinating $90m Luka Doncic prediction which could be about to come true

Shaquille O'Neal gave fascinating $90m Luka Doncic prediction which could be about to come true

The NBA world was shaken this week by the news that the Los Angeles Lakers had acquired Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in a trade.

As part of the deal, the Lakers sent five-time All-NBA power forward/centre Anthony Davis to the Mavericks, along with shooting guard Max Christie and one first round pick.

Despite the package they gave up, however, most fans and pundits were shocked that the Lakers were able to sign a player of Doncic’s calibre and standing at all, let alone without having to sacrifice more future draft capital.

Doncic is just 25 years of age, yet he is already a five-time First Team All-NBA selection – that’s more, for example, than Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry, who is 11 years older – and was just last year the driving force behind Dallas’ run to the NBA finals, leading league in points, rebounds, assists and steals per game in the playoffs.

Luka Doncic has made a shock trade to LA Lakers. Image: Getty

The Slovenian point guard is a generational talent who will now wear the famous purple and gold, playing alongside LeBron James before leading the Lakers into their next era once the 40-year-old four-time MVP eventually retires.

Such is Doncic’s vast talent and sky-high potential that just last year another Lakers legend, Shaquille O’Neal, predicted that the then-Mavericks star would soon set a new record for yearly salary in the NBA.

“Luka Doncic is gonna be the first $90 million player,” O’Neal said on an episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq.

However, Doncic’s move to Los Angeles will actually hurt him financially. NBA players who remain with the team that drafted them for a minimum of seven years are eligible for a so-called “super-max” contract, so long as they have earned All-NBA selection the year before they renew their deals.

At present, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics owns the biggest super-max deal in history, having recently signed a contract that will see him earn $71 million in the fifth and final year of the agreement.

Now that Doncic is no longer with the team that drafted him – with the Mavericks having traded with the Atlanta Hawks to select the former Real Madrid youngster with the third overall pick in 2018 – he cannot command the full super-max value, potentially costing the player up to $115 million across the length of his next deal.

With the NBA’s salary cap routinely increasing as revenues rise, though, there remains a chance that Doncic might yet someday reach the level of yearly earnings O’Neal predicted – and that’s before factoring in the additional marketing opportunities the 25-year-old could benefit from upon moving to LA.

Related Posts

🚨 BREAKING UPDATE: LeBron James’ recovery news just shocked the NBA world — insiders say his comeback timeline adds an unexpected twist to the fierce Western Conference race. Fans can’t believe how fast the King might return to the court!

Oct 5, 2025; ѕan Francіѕco, Calіfornіa, UѕA; Loѕ Angeleѕ Lakerѕ forward LeBron Jameѕ (23) talkѕ wіth ѕon, guard Bronny Jameѕ (9), durіng a break іn the fourth…

💥 BREAKING NEWS: The Lakers have been rocked by shocking injury news surrounding Jarred Vanderbilt — and insiders say it could completely shake up the team’s roster strategy just days before the new season tips off

Lakerѕ rocked aѕ Jarred Vanderbіlt’ѕ іnjury newѕ ѕendѕ ѕhockwaveѕ through roѕter рlanѕ Oct 5, 2025; ѕan Francіѕco, Calіfornіa, UѕA; Loѕ Angeleѕ Lakerѕ forward Jarred Vanderbіlt (2) drіveѕ…

🚨 TIME UPDATE: Lakers vѕ. King at Arena Stadіum — kіckoff tіme offіcіally confіrmed!

The stage is set, and the lights of Arena Stadium are ready to shine bright! The Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings are gearing up for…

🚨WARRIORS WHIPLASH: Golden State Stuns Fans After Blazers Win by Cutting Two NBA Hopefuls, Locker Room Buzzing, and Nobody Saw This Coming..ll

Explore Golden State Warriors’ surprising roster moves after their preseason victory. Discover the team’s strategic decisions now.

🚨GOLDEN STATE REVEAL: Mike Dunleavy Jr. Breaks Down the Harsh Truth on What Defines Success for the Warriors, No Excuses, No Gray Area, Just Pure Pressure to Win..ll

Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said they have put themselves in a position to contend for a title.

🚨BULLS ALERT: Josh Giddey Finally Finds His Groove, the Hype Is Real, But a Massive Problem Looms That Could Change Everything..ll

For all his obvious talents, Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey still has one glaring problem he must correct as soon as possible.