Mavericks coach Jason Kidd sees a Hall of Fame career for Cooper Flagg

Fresh off winning the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award, Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd can see a lot more accolades for Cooper Flagg over the duration of his career.

Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 46.8% from the field in 70 appearances. He is the third player in franchise history to win, joining Luka Dončić and Kidd, who shared the award with Grant Hill.

Kidd, speaking on "The Dan Patrick Show" on Wednesday, was asked by the Sports Emmy-nominated host whether he'd rather have his Hall of Fame career or Flagg's future career. The former 10-time All-Star believes Flagg's career will surpass his.

"He is going to be one, too," Kidd said of Flagg. "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."

Kidd played with the Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks across his 19-year career in the NBA. He established himself as one of the top point guards in history, while winning a championship and earning countless awards and records along the way.

Flagg joined Michael Jordan as the only rookies in history to lead their team in total points, rebounds, assists and steals since steals were first recorded in 1973-74. He is the second-youngest player to win the award (19 years, 127 days).

The former Duke All-American on April 3 became one of 10 rookies to score at least 50 points in a game. He followed that performance with a 45-point outing, joining Allen Iverson  since the NBA-ABA merger with back-to-back 40-point games.