Jason Kidd didn’t overthink it. He would choose Cooper Flagg’s future over his own Hall of Fame career. That says everything. After Luka Doncic left, Kidd looked for answers and turned to LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Was Cooper going to be the right fit for the Dallas Mavericks? Both future HOFs had seen Flagg up close before the Olympics. He was 17 then. And what they saw convinced Kidd that this teenager was something truly rare.

“I asked two future Hall of Famers, Curry and LeBron, because he participated with Team USA. And so I wanted to know the truth,” Coach Kidd shared on The Dan Patrick Show. “I went to those two and asked him, ‘Can Cooper play?’ and they both said he’s very special.” Then, Jason Kidd had the Duke prodigy over for dinner; they talked about Flagg’s experience on the 2024 USA Select Team.

Kidd wanted to know it from Flagg about whom he thought was unguardable. The scrimmages revealed more than just who challenged him. Cooper Flagg wasn’t overwhelmed by skill alone when facing Stephen Curry and LeBron James—it was their anticipation that stood out. They were always a step ahead, reading plays before they unfolded. That kind of instinct, he realized, comes with experience.

“He said, ‘Those were the hardest to guard.’ And I asked those two about Cooper, and they said that he’s very special,” Jason Kidd went on. “And I thought, listening to those guys, but once I gave him the ball early on, I knew that this young man was going to do something special.”

In 2024, Cooper Flagg stepped into rare territory. He earned a spot on the USA Select Team in Las Vegas, becoming the only college player since 2013 to do so. Flagg felt impossible to ignore, even in a tight 74-73 loss. First, he calmly sized up Anthony Davis and buried a bold three from the right hash. Then, he went to work inside, fading over Jrue Holiday with ease. After that, he fought through contact for a gritty putback against Bam Adebayo.

The now-Mavericks star’s intangibles were enough to convince the likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry that he was rare. And therefore, when Jason Kidd asked them what they thought about the kid, they knew what to say. And honestly, Flagg has indeed proven his worth in his debut season in the NBA.

The 19-year-old became the 2026 Rookie of the Year and rightfully so. But the most interesting part of this story is that he surpassed LeBron James‘ rookie-season stat records. Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Meanwhile, James had 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. So, Jason Kidd says, “He’s special. When you talk about being drafted at the age of 18 and now being 19, but just the way he carries himself on and off the floor. His parents have done an incredible job of keeping him hung, humble, and hungry, and so I think his career is going to be way better than mine.”

Now, while J-Kidd sees Cooper Flagg as a future Hall of Famer, he also shared his Top 10 and Top 15 players with Dan Patrick. And for once, it looks like Stephen Curry is in the Top 5 GOAT conversation!

Jason Kidd’s list of the top NBA players of all time

The conversation moved fast as Dan Patrick pushed Jason Kidd on all-time rankings. First came Nikola Jokic. Kidd didn’t hesitate, saying he could rise as high as fifth when it’s all said and done. Then Stephen Curry entered the mix, and Kidd saw the same kind of ceiling there, too. In his view, both have a real shot at the top five. Kevin Durant comfortably landed in the top 10, while Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant still held the first three spots.

However, things got tricky fast. If today decided everything, Kidd placed Joker and Steph right behind that iconic trio. That meant hard choices, and Patrick pointed it out bluntly. Names like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird risk slipping out of the top 10. And Kidd admitted it could happen, even if it felt uncomfortable. He insisted they would still land somewhere in the top 15. “They’ll be in the top, they could be in the top 15. It’s okay. It’s all right. They’re still good. They’re still really good. Don’t get me wrong,” Jason Kidd said.

Names like Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal remained in the Top 10 mix, too. However, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West, much like Magic and Larry, deserved to share a place. Some legacies, after all, feel bigger together. “I think that they should take up one slot. When you talk about Magic and Larry because of what they did for the game for us, I think they should be tied together,” he said, agreeing with Dan Patrick’s suggestion.

So, Jason Kidd has made his stance clear, and it carries weight. He trusts Cooper Flagg’s future over his own legacy, backed by belief from LeBron James and Stephen Curry. That faith now feels justified. Meanwhile, Kidd’s all-time rankings show the same bold thinking. He values impact, instinct, and growth. In his eyes, the next era is already here, and Flagg stands right at the center of it.