Like many, Shaquille O’Neal was astonished that the Dallas Mavericks would trade Luka Dončić at this juncture in his career. However, unlike most, the Hall of Fame center isn’t just waiting to see how the deal unfolds for Dallas; he’s gone so far as to declare the Mavericks the immediate winners of the trade.
O’Neal’s remarks were made during TNT’s pregame show ahead of the highly anticipated Eastern Conference clash between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. Although he later expressed optimism regarding the basketball implications of the trade, the four-time NBA champion initially questioned Dallas’ decision-making process. “Obviously Dallas didn’t want to move forward with one of the greatest young players we’ve seen today. I wish the business of basketball could have been handled a little better,” O’Neal said. “You would think a guy that five years into the league, with five first-team All-NBA selections, would at least have a conversation like, ‘hey, things are not going well. This could possibly happen.’ He felt the same way I did when it happened: I actually had to check and make sure it wasn’t April Fool’s Day.”
The 52-year-old then reflected on his own NBA journey, recalling the moment he realized that anyone could be traded at any time. “I remember the day [the Knicks] traded Patrick Ewing, and it made me say to myself, ‘nobody is safe.’ Then Dominique [Wilkins]. Then me. Then you,” O’Neal noted, pointing to fellow analyst Vince Carter. “So it happens. It’s just very unfortunate. There’s a lot going on, like him not being in shape. It’s clear they didn’t want to move forward with a 25-year-old superstar. But now he’s in ‘La La Land.’”
While O’Neal might need a refresher on his timeline—the Knicks traded Ewing (who had requested a trade) in 2000, and the Atlanta Hawks sent Wilkins to the Los Angeles Clippers in 1994—the larger point remains that he understands the unpredictable nature of trades in the league. Looking at the basketball implications, O’Neal dismissed concerns regarding Dončić’s compatibility with LeBron James. He firmly stated that, in the short term, the Mavericks emerged as the trade’s victors. “It’s going to be interesting,” O’Neal said. “However, I think Dallas got the better end of the trade—for the next two years anyway.”
“For the next 2 years, I think Dallas won that trade.” 👀
Shaq on the Luka & AD trade. pic.twitter.com/wkCrTxtcSI
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 5, 2025
O’Neal’s insights echo opinions shared by Charles Barkley, who discussed the trade earlier this week on ESPN’s Get Up. While Dončić is widely regarded as a superior talent to Anthony Davis, the centerpiece of the trade for Dallas, the Lakers’ roster now has glaring frontcourt deficits, whereas the Mavericks appear to have improved defensively. Whether Dallas’ defensive upgrades will offset the departure of a player considered one of the best globally is yet to be determined. However, as illustrated by both O’Neal’s and Barkley’s comments, this trade—while surprising—might not be as uneven as many perceive it to be.
