When a legend like Jason Kidd speaks, you listen. And the Dallas Mavericks head coach—a Hall of Famer in his own right—has some seriously high praise for his rookie sensation, Cooper Flagg.

Fresh off winning the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award, Flagg is already turning heads with a stat line that reads like a seasoned veteran: 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting nearly 47% from the field across 70 appearances. He’s now the third player in Mavericks history to claim the honor, joining the elite company of Luka Dončić and Kidd himself (who shared the award with Grant Hill).

But Kidd isn't just impressed with the hardware. During a recent appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show," the former 10-time All-Star was asked a bold question: would he rather have his own storied Hall of Fame career, or Flagg’s future? His answer was immediate and emphatic.

"He is going to be one, too," Kidd said, referring to the Hall of Fame. "He is special. When you talk about being drafted at the age of 18, and now being 19, just the way he carries himself on and off the floor. His parents have done an incredible job of keeping him humble and hungry. I think his career is going to be way better than mine."

That’s no small compliment from a player who spent 19 seasons dominating the league with the Mavericks, Nets, Suns, and Knicks, cementing himself as one of the greatest point guards of all time with a championship ring and a trophy case full of accolades.

Flagg, meanwhile, is already rewriting the record books. He joined Michael Jordan as the only rookies to lead their team in total points, rebounds, assists, and steals since the stat was first tracked in 1973-74. At just 19 years and 127 days old, he became the second-youngest player ever to win Rookie of the Year.

If you need more proof of his superstar potential, look no further than his April 3 performance: a 50-point eruption that made him one of just 10 rookies to hit that mark. He followed it up with a 45-point game, becoming the first rookie since Allen Iverson to post back-to-back 40-point outings.

For Mavericks fans—and anyone who loves the game—the message is clear: Cooper Flagg isn’t just the future. He’s making history right now, and he’s got a Hall of Famer betting on him to reach even greater heights.