“Deadly” California Tax Forcing Russell Westbrook to Intensify Beef with LeBron James’ Lakers as Per Shaquille O’Neal: “$47 Million in LA is what, 23 Million?”

Shaquille O’Neal commented on the Russell Westbrook conundrum that LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are facing this offseason. In a recent episode of his podcast, the Big Diesel looked at the problem from Westbrook’s lens and provided an optimal solution for the Lakers star. In other words, Shaquille O’Neal advised Russell Westbrook to exercise his $47.1 million player option for the upcoming season.

The Lakers have been trying to broker a deal for Russell Westbrook all summer. However, teams have displayed little interest to pay the 33-year-old star’s exorbitant salary, especially after last season’s showing. And as it turns out, the Lakers have no intention of losing multiple future draft picks in a Westbrook trade.

In fact, the Lakers have a roster crammed with aging stars. Therefore, they have limited cap space to work with in the first place. As a result, it has been very difficult for them to trade for players this offseason without giving away too many future draft picks.

Shaquille O’Neal on Russell Westbrook’s options moving forward

Shaquille O’Neal had some quality advice for Russell Westbrook in a recent episode of his podcast. As it turns out, the 50-year-old NBA veteran advised the 2017 MVP to exercise his $47.1 million player option.

“And if I’m Russ, because of how things played out last year, I’m gonna make them pay me this 47 million“, Shaq declared.

“Because remember, 47 in LA is what, 23 million“, he added. “Never forget that California tax is deadly“.

According to Shaquille O’Neal, the best option for Westbrook would be to exercise his player option. Because he had an underwhelming performance last week. As a result, his plummeting stocks wouldn’t acquire much money if he decides to opt-out of his contract.

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Moreover, the California tax laws would cost up to 50% in federal and state taxes, anyway. Therefore, the right action for Westbrook would be to stay in his deal and show up for the Lakers in the 2022-23 season and produce an MVP-caliber performance. So that he can get a decent deal next season.

Shaq on LeBron James and the Lakers in the upcoming season

Shaq also sounded off on the Lakers trying to acquire Kyrie Irving from Brooklyn. In fact, the 2000 MVP didn’t seem too excited to import an inconsistent Kyrie Irving into the squad.

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Meanwhile, Shaq advised Russell Westbrook to ball out this coming season. Instead of deferring to LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the team, the Lakers legend believes that the nine-time All-Star should stay true to himself and play with freedom next season.