Mark Morrison has not been made any promises and he is not offering any in return.
But the former Christchurch Cougars forward could prove to be the just the link man the Otago Nuggets have been looking for.
The 26-year-old real estate agent arrived in Dunedin on Monday and was thrust straight into action, suiting up for a practice session.
He has a steep learning curve in front of him.
The Nuggets open their National Basketball League campaign in Auckland against the newly-formed Pirates a week today.
Morrison was planning to skip the season but had a change of heart when the Nuggets made him an offer late last month.
"It has all happened quite quickly," Morrison said.
"I had my first training [on Monday] night and am still trying to pick up some of the systems. But it all went pretty well."
The opportunity to escape the chaos in Christchurch was also a factor.
"It is quite refreshing to be down here and, hopefully, I can get settled in and try and focus on something else."
While Morrison has been recruited to play, there are no guarantees in terms of how much court time he might see.
He will have to earn his spot and faces some stiff competition from former junior Tall Blacks Riki Buckrell and Tom Rowe.
Rowe is in his third season with the Nuggets and has been training hard during the off-season; Buckrell is in his second season with the franchise and has a touch of class about him.
But Morrison is a more seasoned campaigner.
He made his debut for the now defunct Canterbury Rams in 2004.
He spent five seasons with the Rams and then had a stint with Hawkes Bay in 2009 before returning to Christchurch to play for the Cougars last season.
"I don't expect just to walk into a starting spot. I have to prove myself. From the one training I've seen, Tom Rowe is training really well and looks in good shape. And, obviously, Riki as well. So I've definitely got to put in the hard yards."
At 2m tall, Morrison can mix it up on the inside and is expected to pull down his share of rebounds, particularly offensive boards.
But coach Alf Arlidge has given the Cantabrian a licence to shoot when he is open.
"I'd like to think I'm a consistent threat from the outside but I do a little bit of everything - like drive to the hoop and play a bit on the inside."
Morrison got his start in primary school and progressed through the Canterbury age group teams.
He had a brief stint with the Breakers as a development player and also with the Sydney Kings.
Like most, he dreamed of playing professionally overseas and cracking the Tall Blacks squad.
But as the seasons have passed his goals have become more team-focused.
This season his aim is to help the Nuggets register their first win since April, 2008.
With two quality big men like Craig Bradshaw and Lance Allred, and American point guard Scott O'Gallagher, the Nuggets roster looks stronger than it has for some years.
Whether that translates into a win or not remains to be seen.
But Morrison was positive about the season ahead.
"I think the top six and the play-offs should definitely be our goal. And I think we have a unit that can achieve that."
The Otago Nuggets will play a pre-season match against an invitational side from Christchurch at the Edgar Centre on Sunday.
Tip-off is at 1pm.
