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Xavier Thames continued his busy pre-NBA Draft schedule today working out with the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets invited five other guard prospects, as well: Florida's Scottie Wilbekin, Cincinnati's Sean Kilpatrick, Mercer's Langston Hall, Minnesota's Justin Cobbs and Florida State's Ian Miller.
The Hornets could use help in their backcourt in 2014-15. Charlotte focuses their offense on center Al Jefferson, who led the team in scoring last year with 21.8 points per game. But Jefferson can't reach his full potential without perimeter players who seriously threaten opposing teams. Particularly perimeter players who aren't a threat from the 3-point line: the Hornets ranked 22nd last year with their 35.2 percent success from 3-point range. Yes, young point guard Kemba Walker is a future star, but his cohorts in the backcourt--Gerald Henderson, Gary Neal, Ramon Sessions--won't provide the scoring threat Charlotte needs to get the most out of Jefferson.
Thames, whose draft stock is based largely on great size, lights-out shooting and tenacious defense, fits the Hornets' need quite well. If Charlotte drafts him, he might find himself with an immediate role.
Check out his time with the media and his highlights from the Hornets workout.
Only YouTube videos work on this site, so here's the link to the video: http://www.nba.com/hornets/video/2014/06/03/140603Thamesmov-3291108/