“Start owning things.” Shaquille O’Neal has been putting Magic Johnson’s priceless advice to the test for years. Fast forward to today, and O’Neal has been handing down the same advice to rising star, Luka Doncic. The 25-year-old is on track to rake in a mind-boggling $100 million a year, thanks to the new TV deal and the cap set to skyrocket in 2031. Yes, you heard right. $100 million! But Shaq isn’t just hyping the Mavs star’s bright future—he’s laying down a game plan for aspiring guards on how they can cash in on Luka’s massive rise.

On The Big Podcast with Shaq, Shaquille O’Neal and former NBA star Baron Davis dived into the future of basketball’s top earners. The 4x champ predicted, “Luka Doncic is gonna be the first $90 million player.” But he didn’t stop there. Shaq believes Luka’s financial success opens up a world of possibilities for young guards, giving them a blueprint to elevate their game—and their paychecks.

Shaq explained, “I always try to tell kids, whoever the man is, watch them, steal all of it, and then go at them.” He urged young guards to look at Luka’s trajectory and see the potential for themselves. The 52-year-old broke down the numbers, saying if you’re half as good as Luka, “that’s $40 million,” and if you’re half as good as that, “that’s $20 million.” His message? Even at a fraction of Luka’s skill, there’s serious money on the table.

How is Luka Doncic going to earn $90-$100 million, though? Luka’s current five-year deal with the Mavericks is worth around $215 million, with options that could lead to a max extension. Last season alone, he averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists—a stat line that has him set up for even bigger paydays down the line.

If Luka continues his upward trajectory, and given the rising NBA salary cap, boosted by lucrative media rights deals, Luka’s next contract could reach $500 million. And if the cap keeps climbing, he’ll be eyeing $87 million in 2031, $94 million in 2032, and—brace yourself—over $100 million in 2033. And the Big Aristotle even gave some advice about how to deal with that kind of money.

Shaquille O’Neal’s advice to Luka Doncic

Though Shaquille O’Neal’s legacy on the court is unmatched, he learned financial wisdom off the court from his stepfather, Philip Harrison. Harrison, a drill sergeant, taught Shaq tough lessons, keeping him focused and away from distractions. Thanks to that foundation, Shaq’s financial future remains solid—unlike 65-70% of pro athletes, who end up losing their fortunes within a few years of retirement.

And now, Luka Doncic, with his soaring career and sky-high earnings, is facing similar challenges. Shaq didn’t hesitate to share a nugget of wisdom with the young Mavs star on The Pat McAfee Show last month. “If I was him, I would say, ‘Okay, just pay me $20 million this year and defer that $80 million…defer it to when I’m done playing.‘” His point? That $80 million won’t look the same after taxes.

By deferring some of that income, Shaq is nudging Luka to think long-term—hinting that investments and smart savings are essential, especially as some young NBA players burn through cash without financial planning.

Shaq put it simply, advising Luka to save big for his future: “I don’t wanna see it till I am 35.” His approach aligns with the fact that nine U.S. states don’t tax personal income, adding to the wisdom of planning ahead. If Luka takes Shaq’s advice to heart, he could be setting himself up for a secure post-NBA life.