New Orleans Hornets host Perry Jones III and Jared Sullinger – NBA News
The New Orleans Hornets hosted two more potential draft prospects at their training facility for a pre-draft workout session on Monday.
The prospects who got the invitation were 6 ft 11 Baylor forward Perry Jones III and 6 ft 9 Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger.
The fact that both invitees were forwards gives weight to the probability that the Hornets are looking to add another big man to their front court and are looking to follow the formula that has worked well for the Los Angeles Lakers with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.
The Hornets have the 1st and 10th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft. While there is no surety about who they will use their 10th pick on, they are anticipated to pick Anthony Davis with their number 1 pick.
The two forwards practised infront of Hornets General Manager Dell Demps and coach Monty Williams.
Demps said that though the option of trading the # 10 draft pick is still open, they are not inviting all these prospects to participate in workouts without any reason.
“We'd keep our options open, obviously, but right now we're looking at guys that we can draft with the 10th pick. Now if someone makes us a deal that's going to make our organization better, we'll definitely take a look at it. But as of today, right now, nothing's happened. ... We plan on using the 10th pick,” said Demps.
The Hornets have so far invited 11 draft prospects to their training facility for workouts and evaluation. Of the all players, 7 have been forwards or centres, indicating that the franchise is looking towards a big starting line-up.
Hornets coach Monty Williams was quite impressed with both Jones and Sullinger, saying that both players had great basketball skills.
"Perry is a guy who you have to see in person to realize how good of an athlete he is. He can put the ball down and shoot it a little bit. He's really quick. Jared is a guy who can shoot it pretty sound, more deliberate in his approach to posting up the ball,” said Williams after the workout.
Jones played for Baylor last season, where he averaged 13.5 points and led his team to the NCAA regional finals where they lost to eventual tournament winners Kentucky Wildcats. Sullinger played for the Ohio State Buckeyes where he averaged 17.5 points and 9.2 rebounds. His team reached the NCAA final four but lost the Kansas Jayhawks.
Both the forwards have already worked out for Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors before they were invited to New Orleans.
The Hornets will now host Anthony Davis on Tuesday morning. It is said to be more of a orientation session rather than a workout as the Hornets seem to have made up their mind about him. The NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on June 28th.
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