2016 NBA Draft: Southwest Division Draft Grades

By Isaac Harris

Jun 26, 2016

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) gestures to the crowd while standing with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number six overall pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

5 of 6

Mar 17, 2016; Denver , CO, USA; Arkansas Little Rock Trojans guard Kemy Osse (23) puts up an off-balance shot against Purdue Boilermakers center A.J. Hammons (20) during the second half of Purdue vs Arkansas Little Rock in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Mavericks: A.J. Hammons (46th)

Dallas came into draft night only possessing a second round pick due to trading their first round pick away a few December’s ago in the Rajon Rondo trade. Instead of trading out of the draft all together or trading up, Dallas decided to stand pat and draft a player they thought had first round value.

Dallas selected big man A.J. Hammons out of Purdue in a move that doesn’t bring a huge risk, but could bring a high reward. Hammons has talent and skill that warrants him a first round draft pick, but an inconsistent motor and work ethic made the big fella drop into the second round.

Instead of drafting a draft-and-stash player or trading out of the second round all together like past drafts to spend more in free agency, Dallas decided to swing for the fences on a first round talent that could pan out in the long run.

Draft Grade: B+

Next: San Antonio