Ex-Duke Star Cooper Flagg Gets Surprising Protection Commitment From Dallas Mavericks Teammate Ahead Of His NBA Rookie Season

Cooper Flagg’s basketball journey has always been defined by his talent, tenacity, and a maturity beyond his years. But even for someone used to the spotlight, stepping into the NBA as a rookie with the Dallas Mavericks is another level of intensity. Now, as the former Duke Blue Devils phenom prepares for his debut season in the pros, he’s getting something few rookies receive — a vocal and public pledge of protection from a veteran teammate.

The moment happened behind closed doors, then quickly spilled into the headlines. During a closed team dinner held just after the Mavericks wrapped up their final Las Vegas Summer League game, team captain and emotional leader P.J. Washington made a statement that caught everyone off guard — especially Flagg.

“I got your back,” Washington reportedly said, clinking his water glass and looking straight at the 19-year-old rookie. “You won’t have to fight battles alone. Not on my watch.”

Those words, coming from a respected NBA veteran, weren’t just lip service. Multiple sources within the organization confirmed that Washington has taken Flagg under his wing ever since the team drafted the young forward No. 3 overall in June. The gesture wasn’t just about mentorship — it was a clear declaration that anyone looking to push the rookie around, physically or mentally, would have to go through him first.

Flagg, who became the highest-drafted Duke player since Zion Williamson, has been navigating a pressure-packed start to his NBA career. From packed practices to a media circus following every move, the spotlight hasn’t dimmed since he left Durham. But even Flagg admitted Washington’s commitment caught him by surprise.

“I didn’t expect that,” Flagg told reporters at a Mavericks open media event in Dallas on Monday. “I was just trying to earn everyone’s respect. For P.J. to say that… it meant everything. He didn’t have to. He’s been in this league, he’s established. And he still stepped up for me.”

It’s a significant moment in what many hope is a defining year for the Mavericks’ future. Flagg, known for his elite defense, versatile scoring, and fierce competitiveness, arrives with sky-high expectations. His one season at Duke was a masterclass in two-way basketball, and it catapulted him to the top of nearly every draft board.

But the NBA is a different beast. Rookies are targeted. Mistakes are magnified. And even top picks sometimes struggle to find footing early. That’s why Washington’s public support — both verbal and physical — has become a rallying point in the Mavericks’ locker room. It sends a message: Cooper Flagg isn’t just a prized rookie. He’s one of us.

Veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr. praised the development, saying, “This league will test your toughness in every way. When vets stand by rookies, it accelerates their growth. That bond’s real.”

Dallas head coach Jason Kidd, himself once a top draft pick and now a respected leader on the sidelines, acknowledged the moment as one that matters far more than people might assume. “You can’t coach chemistry,” Kidd said. “P.J. stepped up and made something clear — this team is a family, and Flagg is already part of it.”

For Flagg, being accepted so quickly into the team’s inner circle is yet another step in what’s already been a whirlwind 18 months. Reclassifying to the high school class of 2024, dominating at Montverde Academy, committing to Duke, and becoming the face of college basketball for a year was just the beginning. Now he’s in the NBA, guarding stars like LeBron James and Jayson Tatum — and already earning the respect of teammates who’ve been in the trenches.

“It’s not just about what he can do on the court,” Washington said later in an interview with The Dallas Morning News. “It’s how he carries himself. He listens, he works, and he doesn’t act like he knows it all. That’s rare. So yeah — I’ll protect him. Because he’s worth protecting.”

The comment wasn’t symbolic. In a preseason scrimmage last week, Flagg caught a hard elbow during a contested rebound drill. Before the whistle even blew, Washington was in the other player’s face, letting him know it wouldn’t happen again.

“P.J. barked louder than anyone,” said assistant coach Jared Dudley. “It wasn’t dirty play — just tough basketball. But P.J. made sure the message was clear: ‘Don’t mess with our guy.’ That’s old-school leadership.”

Flagg, for his part, has been embracing the grind. Though still slight compared to some NBA forwards, he’s already added 12 pounds of muscle since the draft and has been working closely with the team’s strength and conditioning coach on durability and footwork. He’s even started attending early morning film sessions with veterans like Luka Dončić and Maxi Kleber.

“He shows up before some of the coaches,” joked Dudley. “He wants it bad.”

In the Mavericks’ Summer League debut, Flagg flashed his full potential — swatting shots at the rim, drilling step-back threes, and finishing through contact. He finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and a sense that the hype might actually be real.

But for all the talk about talent, toughness is the intangible every rookie must prove. That’s where Washington’s commitment becomes so important. It gives Flagg a safety net — and a license to be fearless.

“You don’t always get that as a rookie,” said Charles Barkley on Inside the NBA following the story. “Most young guys come in and have to earn every scrap. If a vet says, ‘You’re safe here,’ that’s priceless. Cooper Flagg’s teammates believe in him already. That’s dangerous for the rest of the league.”

The Mavericks certainly hope so. After falling short of expectations last season, Dallas has retooled its roster around Dončić’s brilliance and the emerging leadership of players like Washington. Adding Flagg gives them a defensive anchor who can also stretch the floor and bring unrelenting energy.

And yet, even with all the Xs and Os, it’s the team culture that’s beginning to define Dallas this summer. A culture where rookies are supported, not tested. Where leaders stand up in private moments and publicly back their teammates. Where the message is clear: we rise together, or not at all.

For Cooper Flagg, who’s only now getting a taste of NBA life, that means everything. He may be the face of Duke’s most recent era. He may be on billboards, sneakers, and Gatorade commercials. But in Dallas, he’s just one of the guys — one of the brothers.

“I don’t care if it’s my first year or my 15th,” Flagg said. “I play for my team. I play for the guys who believe in me. And now I know they’ve got my back. That makes me want to go even harder.”

The NBA season is still months away, but Dallas has already taken a firm step toward building something deeper than a starting lineup. They’re building trust. Brotherhood. A locker room where rookies are shielded, not isolated. And if P.J. Washington’s message is anything to go by, they’re building around Cooper Flagg — not just as a player, but as a future cornerstone.

As Washington said best: “You ride with us, we ride with you. And Cooper? He’s already family.”