Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York has heard from a source that the Pelicans have worked out Reyshawn Terry, Josh Powell, and Josh Childress over the past two days. Hoopshype also relayed the news from a source who confirmed Powell's audition for New Orleans today (Twitter links).
After officially announcing the signings of Lance Thomas and Arinze Onuaku earlier today, the Pelicans currently have 15 players under contract. It's worth noting that only 13 of those deals are guaranteed, which means that the final two roster spots are still up for grabs.
Powell last played in the NBA as a member of the Hawks during the 2010/11 season, averaging 4.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, and shooting 45.2% from the field in 12.1 MPG. Last November, he signed with the eventual champion Olympiacos Piraeus of the Euroleague after a few short stints in China and Puerto Rico. The 30-year-old power forward enjoyed two championship seasons as a reserve on the Lakers in 2008/09 and 2009/10, and his most productive NBA season to date appears to be with the Clippers in 2007/08, where he posted career bests of 5.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 19.2 MPG in 64 games played.
Childress, also 30 and a former member of Olympiacos, is looking to land with another NBA team after an underwhelming season on the Nets last year. The former sixth overall pick of 2004 played in just 14 games with Brooklyn, averaging 1.0 PPG and 28.6% shooting overall in 7.1 MPG before being waived in late December. Childress showed some promise in 2007/08 before leaving for Greece over the next two seasons, averaging 11.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 29.9 MPG and shooting an incredible 57.1% from the field in 76 games for the Hawks. However, upon returning to the league three years ago, the 6'8 swingman is still trying to regain his niche in the NBA.
Terry may not have much NBA experience other than his summer league cameos with the Mavericks and Trail Blazers in 2008 and 2010 respectively, but he brings a wealth of international experience to the table. After being selected as the 44th overall pick in 2007, the 6'8 forward headed overseas for the next six years, playing in Greece, Italy, Spain, Germany, the Ukraine, and most recently in Lebanon. Zwerling (via Twitter) noted the opinion of one scout who likened the former North Carolina Tar Heel to "a better version of Chris Copeland," and added that the 29-year-old swingman got off to a late start this summer after being hurt. As a member of Champville SC in Lebanon for 17 games last season, Terry averaged 19.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 36.6 MPG while shooting 56.0% from inside the arc and 37.5% from long range.