The Lakers may have filled out their roster, but our man Shaq isn’t ready to stamp this team as complete just yet.
After a busy offseason that brought in center Deandre Ayton and sharpshooter Jake LaRavia, many expected the Lakers to hit pause. Even though the team could technically free up a spot by waiving Shake Milton’s non-guaranteed deal, the front office appears to be done making big moves.
Still, Shaq thinks there’s one more hole that needs plugging: elite, lights-out shooting.
“They have a legitimate big now, got two premier players,” Shaq told CasinoBeats. “But I’m still worried about the shooting. It’s a three-point league now. Not just guys who can shoot—I’m talking about bonafide shooters. Like JJ Redick used to be.”
O’Neal’s concern isn’t coming out of nowhere. The Lakers were league-average last year when it came to threes made and 3-point percentage. Losing Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency didn’t help. While the team still has quality shooters in LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura, Shaq wants a real floor spacer—someone who defenses fear the second they cross half court.
Players like Dalton Knecht could eventually grow into that role. The second-year guard showed flashes last season and isn’t shy about pulling the trigger from deep. But Shaq’s point is clear: the Lakers need a sure thing from behind the arc to truly elevate their offense.
Confidence in Luka, But the West is No Joke
Despite the lingering questions about shooting, the Lakers are feeling good about their core—especially Luka Doncic. Word around the league is that the team expects Doncic to sign a contract extension in early August, locking him in as the face of the franchise for years to come.
That’s important, because the Western Conference is loaded. The defending champs in Oklahoma City, the ever-dangerous Denver Nuggets, rising teams like the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves—it’s a gauntlet.
But Shaq’s not worried.
With Luka, LeBron, and Deandre Ayton leading the way, he fully expects the Lakers to finish with a top-four seed and earn home court in the first round of the playoffs.
“You got two premier players,” Shaq said. “You got a big guy that can do certain things. Those three players should be able to get you to one through four. If they don’t have home court advantage, I’ll be very disappointed.”
Ayton Looks to Level Up on Defense
While Ayton’s offensive talent is undeniable, he’s looking to prove himself as a force on the other end, too. The big man has openly talked about wanting to improve as a rim protector—something the Lakers desperately need if they’re going to keep pace with the Western Conference elite.