Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Shaq doesn't think Luka Doncic is NBA's best guard

By Sai Mohan | Last updated 1/17/24

On Tuesday’s “Inside the NBA” on TNT , the panel discussed which young lead guard it would rather have – always an intriguing question. To the surprise of his co-panelists, Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal picked Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic.

"Luka's a fabulous player, but this kid… listen, he plays the right way, he gets his teammates involved," O'Neal said about SGA.

“I’m gonna have to take [SGA]. Luka is a fabulous player but this kid? He plays the right way [and] gets his teammates involved. … I’m taking him right now. He’s a hell of a player right now.” pic.twitter.com/apYBmLT5Am
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 17, 2024

A year ago, the discussion surrounding the 2018 NBA Draft – which produced Doncic, Trae Young and SGA – was based around Doncic and Young as the best guards from the class. Now, SGA has an argument over both of them.

While both SGA and Doncic were drafted in the same class, the latter has raced away with most of the individual accolades – until now. Unlike Doncic, who made All-Star and All-NBA teams in his second season, SGA has taken baby steps toward superstardom, making his first All-Star team only last season.

Even this season, Doncic averages more points (33.6 to 31), rebounds (8.1 to 5.7) and assists (8.8 to 6.3) than SGA. Yet, it’s SGA and his second-place Thunder (27-13) that are better positioned to make a deep postseason run.

Entering Wednesday's game at the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavericks (24-17) are fifth in the West, five games behind first-place Minnesota.

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