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Dereck Lively II has never been one to shy away from responsibility. From his early days as a top recruit to his rapid emergence as a formidable presence in the NBA, he has continuously demonstrated maturity, grit, and loyalty beyond his years. Now, heading into his second season with the Dallas Mavericks, Lively has declared that his role has grown not just in stature, but in meaning. His newest mission? Protecting his fellow Duke Blue Devils brother, Cooper Flagg, who is set to join the Mavericks for his rookie campaign this season.
It’s not often that two players from the same college program, with such little time overlapping on campus, forge a connection as quickly as Lively and Flagg have. But Duke basketball is not just a program—it’s a fraternity, a legacy, a bond that transcends class years, roster sheets, and even individual paths to the pros. And for Lively, that bond means stepping up as both a protector and mentor for the much-hyped incoming rookie.
Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, has arrived in Dallas surrounded by swirling expectations. After a historic one-and-done season at Duke where he shattered defensive records and ignited offensive firestorms, Flagg has been hailed as a generational talent. NBA executives have compared him to Larry Bird with a vertical leap, Kevin Durant with better timing on blocks, and a young LeBron James with a mean streak of defensive pride. But talent, as Lively knows all too well, can only take you so far without protection, support, and guidance.
Lively remembers his own introduction to the NBA vividly. There were tough screens, trash talk, grown-man elbows, and a pace that made college ball feel like high school pickup. He adjusted quickly, averaging nearly 9 points, 7 rebounds, and nearly 2 blocks per game in his rookie campaign. But it wasn’t easy. He credits veteran teammates—especially big men like Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber—for helping him acclimate to the physical and mental demands of the pro level. Now it’s his turn to pay it forward.
From the moment the Mavericks secured Flagg in the draft, Lively began texting him. Not about basketball. About the locker room. About apartment hunting in Dallas. About staying grounded amidst media frenzy. About which weight room trainers push hardest, which vets expect rookie respect, and which moments to soak in rather than stress about. Lively knew the spotlight would be blinding for Flagg. He also knew that the best way to help him shine was to stand in front of him when that light turned into heat.
When asked about his vow to protect Flagg, Lively didn’t mince words. “I got him. That’s my little brother,” he said at the team’s summer media session. “He’s gonna take hits. That’s the NBA. But they’re gonna have to go through me first. If somebody wants to test him, they’re testing me. If they wanna welcome him to the league the hard way, then I’m the one handing out the welcome packages.”
This isn’t just talk. Lively has been putting in extra hours this offseason, bulking up and refining his defensive switch ability. With Dallas committing to a long-term pairing of Luka Dončić and Flagg as the future of the franchise, the front office knows the roster needs enforcers as much as playmakers. Lively’s mix of intelligence, verticality, and commitment to his teammates makes him the ideal security blanket for the young superstar.
Flagg, for his part, has been humble but not hesitant in expressing admiration for Lively. “Dereck’s like a big brother already,” he said in an interview. “From day one, he’s had my back. In workouts, on the court, even when the cameras are off—he’s just consistent. He tells me what’s coming, what to avoid, and when to just shut up and listen. Every rookie needs that. I’m lucky mine’s from Duke, too.”
While the Mavericks’ strategy for the upcoming season focuses heavily on offensive fluidity and maximizing Luka’s gravity as a playmaker, there’s also a renewed emphasis on identity. Last season’s Western Conference Finals run, though impressive, showed the gaps in depth, toughness, and consistent rebounding. With Flagg expected to stretch the floor, create from the wing, and patrol the perimeter defensively, Lively’s role becomes even more critical as the anchor near the rim and the communicator on rotations.
Coaches have already taken notice of the chemistry between the two young Blue Devils. Jason Kidd, heading into what could be a pivotal season in his coaching tenure, has praised their connection. “It’s rare to see guys click like that before training camp even starts,” Kidd said. “But with those two, it’s like watching brothers. Dereck knows what Cooper needs even before he asks for it. That trust is going to be massive for us.”
Veteran leaders like Kyrie Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. have also expressed respect for how Lively has embraced leadership so early. Irving, never one to hand out compliments lightly, told reporters, “Lively’s got that old soul. He protects what matters. That’s the kind of guy you want next to your stars.”
But it’s not just on the court where this bond is forming. Lively and Flagg have been seen together frequently around Dallas—hosting joint youth clinics, showing up at community events, and even sitting courtside at WNBA Dallas Wings games. Their friendship off the floor only reinforces the trust they’ll need on it.
What stands out most about Lively’s vow is that it isn’t rooted in hype or media play. There’s no performative element to it. His tone is calm, focused, and unwavering. He sees Flagg as a beacon of hope for the franchise—but also as a young man, 19 years old, trying to navigate adult expectations in an unforgiving league. Lively is determined to make sure Flagg doesn’t get chewed up by the system.
The modern NBA, for all its glamour and pace, is still a place where rookies get tested, especially ones with the weight of hype that Flagg carries. Opponents will look to rattle him. Vets will target him early. And trolls on social media will feast on every missed shot, every turnover, and every moment he falls short of perfection. But having a teammate who’s committed to shielding you from the worst of those blows—emotionally, mentally, and physically—can be the difference between a promising start and a derailed debut.
There’s a broader significance, too, in what Lively is doing. In an era where player loyalty is often questioned and superteams form without regard for roots, Lively is building something deeper. He’s forging a legacy rooted in fraternity, responsibility, and shared purpose. He doesn’t just want to win; he wants to win with people he trusts. He wants to build a culture. He wants the Mavericks to be a place where young talent thrives without fear.
For Duke fans, this development is also a point of pride. To see two of their own not just playing together but embodying the values Coach K and now Jon Scheyer preach—accountability, respect, togetherness—is a validation of the brotherhood’s enduring strength.
As training camp looms, and preseason approaches, all eyes will be on how the Mavericks integrate Flagg into their system. But behind every steal, dunk, or viral highlight, there will be the towering, watchful presence of Dereck Lively II—ready to step in, box out, bark orders, and if necessary, drop a hard screen or a louder message to anyone who dares go at his teammate the wrong way.
That kind of brotherhood isn’t manufactured. It’s lived. And as long as Lively wears a Mavericks jersey, one thing is certain: Cooper Flagg will never be alone on the court.
If basketball is a game of runs, momentum, and matchups, then character is what sustains a team through storms. Lively has already proven his worth as a player. Now, through this vow to protect Flagg, he’s proving his worth as a leader, a brother, and perhaps one day, the beating heart of a championship core.
