Former Duke Blue Devils basketball phenom Cooper Flagg continues to make headlines before he even takes his first official NBA dribble. After being selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft with high expectations riding on his shoulders, Flagg is already drawing the kind of attention reserved for seasoned stars. However, this week, the buzz isn’t just about his game; it’s about the pledge of protection from one of his veteran teammates. In a league where rookies often have to earn their place and prove their toughness, Flagg is walking into a rare scenario: a young star surrounded not only by organizational belief but also by teammate loyalty and support.
Sources close to the Mavericks have confirmed that veteran forward P.J. Washington, a respected voice in the locker room, has privately and now publicly committed to ensuring Flagg gets the space and support he needs to develop without being unduly targeted or pressured by opponents. This is not merely about on-court scuffles or flagrant fouls; it’s a symbolic gesture of brotherhood, trust, and leadership that could have major implications for both Flagg’s transition into the NBA and the Mavericks’ internal chemistry.
Washington, entering his seventh year in the league, spoke candidly to local media during a recent practice: “I see a lot of myself in Cooper. He’s young, hungry, and fearless, but the NBA is a different beast. I want to make sure he knows he’s not alone. We got his back.” Those comments sparked a flurry of positive reactions across NBA social media circles, with many fans and analysts praising the move as a sign of strong locker room culture and a harbinger of leadership continuity in Dallas.
Cooper Flagg, who turned heads during his single year at Duke with his versatile skillset, defensive prowess, and high basketball IQ, is no stranger to pressure. Dubbed a generational talent by scouts and analysts alike, the Maine native quickly became a household name in college basketball, displaying the maturity and competitive fire rarely seen in a teenager. While his stats at Duke were impressive, it was his intangible qualities — court vision, poise under pressure, and relentless work ethic — that truly set him apart and eventually earned him a lottery selection by the Mavericks.
Dallas, still reeling from their disappointing playoff exit last season, sees Flagg as a critical component in the future of the franchise. Though Luka Doncic remains the cornerstone of the team, the Mavericks’ front office has made no secret of its intention to groom Flagg as a dynamic co-star who can evolve into a franchise pillar. But with lofty expectations come intense scrutiny, and the NBA landscape is unforgiving to rookies who stumble out of the gate.
This is where Washington’s pledge becomes more than a soundbite. Having someone with both the on-court credibility and locker room clout stepping up to shield Flagg from potential mental and physical wear and tear is invaluable. The NBA has often been criticized for its sometimes hostile culture toward rookies, who are occasionally subjected to hazing or left to fend for themselves in the hyper-competitive ecosystem of professional basketball. While those practices have diminished in recent years, the unspoken pressure to “earn your stripes” remains very real.
Flagg himself acknowledged the support with humility and gratitude. “It means everything,” he said in a post-practice interview. “To know that a guy like P.J. believes in me enough to say that publicly? That gives me even more confidence. I just want to show the team and the city that I belong here.”
