Cooper Flagg’s arrival in Dallas wasn’t supposed to come with championship expectations. But when you’re the first overall pick landing on a team with Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis, the pressure builds fast. That’s exactly what has Shaquille O’Neal concerned about the 19-year-old rookie’s immediate future.
After finishing his freshman season with the Duke Blue Devils and establishing himself as one of the best young prospects in the country, Flagg was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the first pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. The selection came after a dramatic transformation for the franchise that saw them trade away their cornerstone player and rebuild around a different vision.
Why Is Shaquille O’Neal Warning Fans About Cooper Flagg?
The Mavericks franchise has seen tremendous change over the past few months. After the organization unexpectedly traded away Luka Dončić to acquire Anthony Davis, Nico Harrison was criticized heavily by the fanbase for letting go of their franchise cornerstone just after the Mavericks made the 2024 NBA Finals.
However, things changed drastically after the Mavericks managed to turn their luck around by winning the first pick in the draft lottery and using it to acquire Flagg. While many fans likely believe that the Mavericks have a legitimate chance to win a title this upcoming season, O’Neal urged them to reconsider their expectations.
Unlike most top picks who enter the league and join rebuilding and bottom-tier teams, Flagg managed to find his way to the Mavericks largely due to the injuries that plagued their roster this season. Since the Mavs have Irving, Thompson, and Davis on their roster, the addition of Flagg might just be enough to help them contend for and win a title.
But O’Neal believes that setting such high expectations on Flagg would be unfair, given that he is still a 19-year-old rookie with no real experience when compared to the best professional players in the world.
“In the highlights, he looks phenomenal,” says O’Neal in a one-on-one interview with RG, speaking about Flagg. “You must realize he’s an 18-year-old kid. You can’t put too much pressure on him. From my experience, you get two years before people really start saying it’s time to win, but I think he’s way above that 18-year-old curve.”
What Makes Cooper Flagg’s Situation Different From Other Rookies?
O’Neal makes a valid point about the unique position Flagg finds himself in. Just because Flagg has a good team around him, it would be unfair to place a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders during his rookie season. O’Neal’s message can also be considered a subtle warning to Jason Kidd and the Mavs’ coaching staff about tempering their expectations for Flagg.
Read More: Mavericks Announce Shocking Decision on Cooper Flagg’s Summer League Status After Just 2 Games
The reality is that while Flagg deserves a few seasons before he feels the “need to win” pressure, the Mavs roster consists of stars who are approaching the final stages of their respective careers. This creates a timeline conflict that most rookies don’t face.
As a result, Flagg will inadvertently face a higher level of expectations and will be expected to live up to them. After all, the Mavs will still be unable to win a title two years down the line if Flagg is entering his prime, but the rest of his teammates are lesser versions of themselves. The Mavs’ performance in the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season will reveal more about the distance that separates them from winning a title.
