Nobody around Dallas has seen as much of A.J. Hammons in the last few years as former Maverick Brian Cardinal.

As a member of the fundraising and community-outreach arm for Purdue, the ex-Boilermaker has watched Hammons grow. He's also watched him stop growing and start losing weight, which was important.

Cardinal's expert opinion is that the Mavericks' organization is going to be perfect for Hammons, who does have some credibility to rebuild.

"I'm pumped for what A.J. will get the chance to do with the Mavericks," Cardinal said. "They have the support staff that young guys need -- guys like (athletic trainer) Casey Smith and D.K. (psychologist Don Kalkstein).

"All the questions people have about him -- Does he have a motor or not? Does he want to play or not? -- he's got a chance to change all those things. He's beyond talented. He's got the skill and the body. Now it's up to him. That's the beauty of the NBA. You have to answer the bell every night.

"I think it's a home run for him and the Mavericks that he landed with them. It's a great opportunity for him to rebuild his brand."

Cardinal played for the Mavericks on the 2011 championship team and was one of the leaders of the locker room. He knows the culture that coach Rick Carlisle and the staff have created and believes it will be a terrific influence on Hammons.

Asked if Hammons could have as good a career as Cardinal, who was drafted 44th in 2000 and played a dozen NBA seasons, the always self-deprecating Cardinal said: "He hasn't even played a pro game and he's already surpassed Brian Cardinal as an NBA player."

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