Editor's note: This article originally published on June 28. With the Mavs signing DeAndre Jordan on a one-year deal, we're bringing it back.

Suffice it to say the Big Diesel doesn't hold out big hopes for what DeAndre Jordan can offer the Dallas Mavericks if he indeed gets traded to Dallas.

The Mavericks have surfaced as big players for Jordan in recent days, but Shaquille O'Neal says Mavs fans shouldn't hold their breath for much promise even if Jordan comes to town.

"He could help them, but I don't think it'll get Dallas back to where they used to be very, very prominent, winning championships," O'Neal said Thursday morning in an interview with 105.3 The Fan's Shan and RJ show. "It's not a big-guy league anymore, and DeAndre Jordan is pretty much just a shot blocker. You really can't throw the ball to him in the post and have him get you big numbers every night. Plus the guys he's going to be playing against are going to be shooting jumpers."

O'Neal was also asked where he ranks Mavs great Dirk Nowitzki among the top power forwards of all time.

"He's not a power forward. He's a shooting forward. It's different," Shaq said. "Shooting forward, he's in the top two or three. Power forward, he's probably in the top 20. But there was really no power to his game. His game was all finesse and shooting. Even though he was 7 foot, you've got to put him in the small forward category."

Any expectations for NBA free agency, Shaq?

"Free agency has always been enigmatic. Guys are going to make decisions that are best for them and their family. I just hope that they keep the competitive spirit.

"I always tell people if I knew it was OK to do this, I would have went and played with Mike [Michael Jordan]. But you know what? I wanted the competitive spirit of 'In order to be the king, you've got to beat the king.' I was the last guy to beat Michael Jordan in a playoff series, feel good about that. My career was all about battles, good and bad battles. I feel good about my career and the way Kobe and I won our championships."

More DeAndre Jordan

Sources: DeAndre Jordan agrees to terms on one-year contract with Mavericks

National reaction to Mavs agreeing with DeAndre Jordan: What Chandler Parsons had to say about it

Does addition of DeAndre Jordan make the Mavericks a playoff team?

10 things to know about DeAndre Jordan, including the meaning behind his tattoos and a 2015 summer recap

Why Mavs are willing to cut DeAndre Jordan some slack where they didn't with others

Flashback: 'Coward' DeAndre Jordan returns to Dallas tonight; some insults from Mavericks fans

Shaquille O'Neal on DeAndre Jordan's impact for Mavs: 'I don't think it'll get Dallas back to where they used to be'

Flashback: 10 funny reasons why DeAndre Jordan backed out of agreement with Mavericks in 2015