NBA Draft Rumors: Charlotte Hornets eyeing Doug McDermott, T.J. Warren
Although the Charlotte Hornets took a huge step forward last season, improving from 21 wins to 43 wins and returning to the postseason, the Hornets are expected to be very active this offseason.
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The Hornets made a huge splash last year adding former Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz big man Al Jefferson and hope to make a similar move this year.
Of course, there first order of business is to find two solid players in the first round of the NBA Draft where they hold the ninth-overall and 24th-overall selections.
Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer believes former Creighton Blue Jays’ forward Doug McDermott and former North Carolina State Wolfpack forward T.J. Warren would be good fits for the Hornets.
"The Hornets hosted a pre-draft workout that featured Creighton’s Doug McDermott and N.C. State’s T.J. Warren. McDermott, who averaged 26.7 points last season, is best known for his shooting range. Warren, who averaged 24.9 points last season, is more of a driver.Hornets coach Steve Clifford liked what he saw from both.“Skilled, smart, really good basketball IQ and high, high character,” Clifford said when asked about McDermott, who stayed four years at Creighton."
Both McDermott and Warren were in Charlotte for a workout Saturday.
McDermott, who won the Naismith Award as the country’s best player, put up a career-high 26.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game for the Blue Jays. He shot 52.6% from the field, 44.9% from beyond the arc and 86.4% from the free throw line. He measured in at 6’7.75 and 218 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’9.25 He is ranked as the 10th-best prospect in the draft by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express.
Warren, ranked as the 16th-best prospect, went for 24.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.1 assists per game. He shot 52.5% from the field, 26.7% from three and 69.0% from the free throw line. He measured in at 6’8.25 and 220 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’10.25.