Image Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Shaquille O’ Neal Believes Dallas Mavericks Was the Ideal Landing Spot for Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg was selected as the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Image Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

NBA legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’ Neal believes that Dallas Mavericks was the perfect landing spot for former Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks selected Flagg with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He debuted for the franchise in the Summer League in Vegas and has helped the side win one of the two contests he played before being shut down for the remainder of the tournament.

Several eyes were on Flagg and it goes without saying that the 18-year-old hasn’t disappointed any one. While the Mavs managed to register only one win, the Blue Devils star was on a roll in both the fixtures. Owing to his past and current heroics, Shaq couldn’t help but praise the NBA prodigy opining that the Mavericks were the right spot for him.

Cooper Flagg in the Summer League:

20.5 PPG
5 RPG
2.5 APG

A star in the making. (via @BetUS_NBA) pic.twitter.com/msVgnbVp9z
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 15, 2025

Speaking at a charity event of his foundation, the four-time NBA champion said, “Great young man. I know both his parents very, very well. Everything about this city, this organization, it’s going to be the right place. And then we’ll give him time to develop. We all remember Dirk [Nowitzki] wasn’t Dirk when he first got here. I think this is a great organization, a great town for him to start off his NBA career.”

At Mavericks, Flagg would get to play with future Hall of Famers including the likes of Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson. However, even the Newport-born is all set to make his mark and he gave a teaser of his potential in the two games he played in the NBA so far. Notably, in the opening fixture against the Los Angeles Lakers, Flagg dropped 10 points, six rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes of action as the Mavericks registered an 87-85 win over the Lakers.

In the second game, he totaled 31 points, four rebounds, and one assist in 31 minutes of action. However, Dallas couldn’t manage to get past the victory line and slumped to the San Antonio Spurs 76-69.

Cooper Flagg’s Comparison with NBA Legends Continues

Ever since it became clear that Flagg would be the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the youngster has drawn comparisons from several NBA legends. From Grant Hill to Scottie Pippen, LeBron James to Kevin Grant, and more, fans and fraternity have highlighted how he possesses some key skills as these icons. Recently, NBA insider Chris Broussard compared him with Kevin Garnett and hailed the star rookie as a better scorer.

Chris Broussard said, “I think he’ll be a better scorer than Garnett. Like, offensively, he can do it all. He can shoot the 3. He’s got the mid-range shot. He can post a little bit, and I think will post better as his career goes on. He can, you know, lead the fast break, can obviously take it to the hole and dunk.”

Not only this, but Broussard also predicted that Flagg has the potential to be a superstar and an MVP candidate. He added, “I think he can be a superstar. Like, his ceiling is superstar, MVP candidate, you know, and maybe winning it a time or two.” Notably, in his NBA career spanning over two decades, Garnett averaged 17.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in over 1400 contests.

However, he shot only 27.5% from the deep while Flagg shot a stellar 38.5% from three-point range.

Cooper Flagg

Dallas Mavericks

Shaquille O’Neal

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.