Before the Mavericks made A.J. Hammons their selection with the 46th pick of Thursday's NBA draft, president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson forewarned everybody that this choice will require patience.
He said the Mavericks are "not promising any Justin Andersons. I think there's a really good chance that we're going to get a player that can have some impact. I can't promise it's going to be in year one."
When the night was done, that could not have been more true.
Hammons is a 7-footer who averaged 15 points and 8.2 rebounds for Purdue as a senior last season.