Jones was waived by the Hornets on Wednesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Jones was away from the team due to personal reasons following multiple offseason issues, and he announced Monday that he had officially requested a trade. The Hornets apparently couldn't find any trade partners and will part ways with the 2021 first-round pick. Jones averaged 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game over 46 appearances last year, and it's unclear how much interest he'll draw as a free agent following his tumultuous offseason.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Requests trade
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Jones (personal) announced Monday via his personal Twitter account that he's officially requested a trade.
Jones is currently away from the team due to personal reasons stemming from multiple offseason issues. It's hard to imagine any team giving up assets to acquire the disgruntled third-year big man, who averaged just 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 12.0 minutes across 46 games last year, so it's presumably more likely Charlotte will release Jones before the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Away from team indefinitely
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Jones will be away from the Hornets indefinitely due to personal reasons and has no timetable for return, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
While it's unclear how long Jones will be away, his offseason issues have been concerning, so it wouldn't be surprising to see his absence continue into the regular season. The third-year big man averaged 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 12.0 minutes across 46 games last season and was slated for a similar role in 2023-24. The Hornets' first preseason game is scheduled for Oct. 10 against Miami.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Out for remainder of Summer League
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Jones has been ruled out for the remainder of Summer League play due to a coach's decision.
Jones made five appearances during Summer League play and averaged 7.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. While he won't suit up to close out the Summer League, he should be available for the start of training camp.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Pulls down 10 boards
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Jones recorded seven points (1-3 FG, 5-7 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block in 26 minutes of Friday's 76-68 Summer League loss to the Spurs.
Jones played well during the Salt Lake City Summer League with averages of 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in two games, so hats off to him for keeping it going in Vegas. He even had the highlight of the evening, slamming a poster jam over Victor Wembanyama. Charlotte's center rotation is deep, but Jones is making a strong case for a role in 2023-24.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Slated for sizable minutes Tuesday
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Head coach Steve Clifford indicated Tuesday that Jones will play some "four" and "five" during Tuesday's game versus the Raptors, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Given how shorthanded the Hornets will be, likely without all five of their regular starters, the coaching staff will need to get creative with some of the lineups on the floor. It appears that will include Jones playing some with Nick Richards also on the floor, though Clifford also noted that JT Thor should see some expanded run.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Likely to be rested Friday
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Jones could be in line to be rested for Friday's game against the Bulls, per Sam Perley of Hornets.com.
While it's worth noting that Jones is not on the Hornets' official injury report, earlier in the week, coach Steve Clifford revealed that he plans to rotate his three centers for the rest of the regular season. Nick Richards got the day off Sunday against Dallas, and Mark Williams sat out Tuesday against OKC, so in all likelihood, it will be Jones' turn to sit Friday night against Chicago.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Operates as primary backup
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Jones finished Thursday's 115-96 loss to the Pelicans with four points (2-3 FG), four rebounds and one block over 20 minutes.
With Mark Williams (thumb) sidelined, Jones continues to operate as the primary backup center behind Nick Richards. Jones hasn't scored well in the role over the past six games (4.8 PPG), but he's providing deep-league fantasy managers with some rebounds (5.3) and defensive numbers (2.0 combined blocks-plus-steals) in his 18.3 minutes.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Makes impact as backup center
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Jones provided six points (2-5 FG, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, three blocks and one steal across 18 minutes during Saturday's 119-111 loss to Utah.
Jones' 18 minutes marked his most playing time since Dec. 9. The absence of Mark Williams (thumb) opened up a spot in the rotation for Jones, who stepped in as the Hornets' backup center while Nick Richards moved into the starting five. While the 22-year-old delivered strong numbers in the rebounds and blocks categories during his limited time on the court, Jones will likely fall back out of the rotation sooner rather than later, unless Williams' injury is more significant than the Hornets are letting on.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Recalled from G League
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Jones will join the Hornets and will be available for Saturday's game against the Heat.
Jones has split time between the NBA and G League and will provide the Hornets with extra frontcourt depth Saturday. He has not appeared in an NBA game since Jan 24.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Leading scorer to pace offense
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Jones posted 18 points (7-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one steal over 32 minutes during Wednesday's 110-100 loss to the Cleveland Charge.
Jones led the team in scoring while finishing with a near perfect shooting mark in Wednesday's loss. Jones has averaged 15.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals over 13 regular-season games.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Sent to G League
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The Hornets assigned Jones to the Greensboro Swarm of the G League on Wednesday.
Jones will be available for Wednesday's game versus the Charge. The second-year big man is averaging 2.7 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.8 minutes across 27 NBA appearances this season, but he should garner a larger role in the G League.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Set to return against Spurs
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Jones (ankle) is available for Wednesday's game versus San Antonio, Schuyler Callihan of SI.com reports.
Jones will return from a 10-game absence Wednesday after being upgraded from doubtful to available with a left ankle sprain. The second-year big man averaged 1.6 points and 0.6 rebounds in 4.0 minutes across his previous five appearances.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Unlikely to play Wednesday
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Jones (ankle) is doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Jones is doubtful with a left ankle sprain for a second straight contest. His expected absence shouldn't impact head coach Steve Clifford's rotation.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Ruled out
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Jones (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against the Hawks.
As expected, Jones won't play after initially being listed as doubtful with a left ankle sprain. He's not a regular part of Charlotte's rotation, so his absence shouldn't impact head coach Steve Clifford's rotation.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Doubtful Monday
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Jones is listed as doubtful for Monday's game against the Hawks with a left ankle sprain.
Even with Mason Plumlee no longer around in Charlotte, Jones hasn't been able to get into the rotation over the past two games, so his availability -- or lack thereof -- in Monday's contest won't have much of an impact in fantasy basketball.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Called up to NBA
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Jones has been recalled from Greensboro to join the Hornets on Saturday.
Jones is fresh off a pair of double-doubles with the Swarm and has earned a temporary spot in Charlotte. With Mason Plumlee traded at the deadline, Jones figures to be the third center on the depth chart behind Mark Williams and Nick Richards.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Perfect from field in double-double
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Jones finished with 12 points (6-6 FG), 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 25 minutes during Friday's 138-137 win over Fort Wayne.
Jones shot a perfect mark from the field while leading the team in rebounds and blocks en route to a double-double. Jones has averaged 15.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.4 steals and 1.3 assists over his last 10 games.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Posts double-double as starter
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Jones notched 19 points (9-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and one block over 27 minutes during Wednesday's 128-119 loss to Salt Lake City.
Jones finished third on the team in points while leading the Swarm in rebounds and blocks en route to a double-double showing. Jones has averaged 15.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.4 steals and 1.3 assists over his last 10 games.
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Hornets' Kai Jones: Perfect from field in double-double
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Jones notched 21 points (7-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, five blocks, two steals and one assist in 25 minutes during Friday's 123-107 win over Grand Rapids.
Jones was perfect from the field en route to posting a team-high-tying point total while leading the team in blocks and finishing one board shy of a double-double. Jones has averaged 16.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 assists over his last nine games.
