Lakers: LeBron James Deserves Status in LA., Says Shaquille O'Neal

LeBron James has won a ring with the Los Angeles Lakers, though many still say he does not belong there. However, NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has come to his defense.

Shaq reportedly told Bally Sports that LeBron James deserves a statue in front of Staples Center, much like Magic Johnson. "He did win a title with the Lakers and a lot of people say that it doesn't count," said the former center, and it seems that he disagrees with them.

"He's a great player, great ability and he did what he was supposed to do as a LAKER," Shaquille O'Neal pointed out. He then hit fans for being "greedy" by not being satisfied with the "bubble championship."

"But the thing about the Lakers is that Laker fans are real greedy, Okay you got us this bubble championship, but when are you going to give us another? It's always that," Shaq said.

Next Season May Be Lebron James's Last With the Los Angeles Lakers

While Shaquille O'Neal has been pointing out that LeBron James deserves more from Lakers fans, James himself may not be staying in the City of Angels for too long, as next season may be his last wearing the purple and gold.

According to Lake Show Life, LeBron has expressed his desire to be able to play with his son, Bronny James, on the same team. With Bronny committing to USC, this would make him eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft, which means that by the 2023-2025 season, his father might sign with the team that will draft him.

Evaluators believe that Bronny James is a Top 10 prospect, and even if the Lakers tank next season, they might not get the rights to draft the young basketball star as the New Orleans Pelicans have the right to take the Lakers' 2024 first-round pick.

Should Bronny James not be picked by the second round, which experts say is highly unlikely, the Lakers currently have the rights to the Clippers' second-round pick. As for his father's contract, he has a player option for the 2024-25 season. This means that should Bronny decide to stay in college in 2024, LeBron might stay with the Lakers for at least one more season.

As for salary caps, whichever team Bronny might end up in, LeBron might agree to a massive pay cut, given that he is already a billionaire and how much he has expressed he wants to be on the same team as Bronny.

LeBron James Speaks About Not Being Able To Join the Slam Dunk Contest His Entire Career

As LeBron contemplates his NBA future, many have questioned why he has not entered a single NBA Slam Dunk contest in his entire career.

The 38-year-old forward finally explained why, saying "I don't think it was something I wanted to accomplish in my career; it's not a goal of mine and it never was coming into the NBA to be a part of the Dunk Contest, you know?"

According to Lakers Daily, the NBA legend added, "Making the NBA All-Star Team was, being the league MVP, winning Defensive Player of the Year, winning NBA Championships...? Those were some goals of mine. The NBA Dunk Contest was never a goal of mine so, it wasn't something that I had too much passion for."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Shaq Reveals Why LeBron Deserves Statue At Lakers Staples Center - Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson