After an impressive start to the season, the Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in a tough spot. The 76ers have a 35-27 record and own the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference. However, reigning MVP Joel Embiid has been out of action since January. On the season, the 76ers have a 9-19 record when Embiid doesn’t play. Despite adding veteran guard Kyle Lowry through the buyout market, Philadelphia is still looking to boost their team for a late-season push. One possible solution? Former Charlotte Hornets center Kai Jones.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the 76ers are bringing Jones in for a workout. Jones had been waived by the Hornets in October after multiple social media outbursts.
Now, it appears Jones is on the right track for an NBA return.
Eastern Conference playoff contender set to meet/workout former first-round pick Kai Jones, who is hopeful for NBA clearance soon to play again: pic.twitter.com/SmubqValwP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 8, 2024
Philadelphia 76ers Working Out Controversial Big Man
Kai Jones Career Breakdown
The Hornets drafted Jones with the 19th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Despite being a first-round pick, Jones did not see regular playing time in Charlotte. Over two seasons with the Hornets, Jones averaged 2.7 points and 2 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game.
After the Hornets waived him, Jones revealed he had been meeting with teams on the Vizion Podcast:
“Right now I’m just meeting with teams, they’re trying to get to know me better, kind of analyzing my character,” Kai Jones said. “I think the biggest thing for me is if I want to take it somewhere else in life and be more successful than I ever have been, I’ve gotta work harder than I ever have, be more detailed than I ever have, be more consistent than I ever have, and be stronger in my will, in my head space, and (physically) than I ever have.”
Furthermore, Yahoo Sports reporter Jake Fischer said Jones had drawn interest from the Los Angeles Clippers before the team signed Daniel Theis.
What Kai Jones Could Bring to the 76ers
Most importantly, Jones provides depth at the center position to a team that needs it. Lately, the 76ers have switched between Paul Reed and Mo Bamba as their starting center. However, beyond these two, Philadelphia does not have a true center to back them up. Although Embiid is expected to return at some point, the 76ers need to save Reed and Bamba for the playoffs, assuming they make it that far. Signing Jones gives them this luxury.
As for what he can do on the court, Jones is an athletic and high-energy player who can run the transition like a guard. And although he hasn’t had much opportunity to showcase it, Jones is capable of knocking down the long ball. Plus, due to his 6’11” frame, Jones has the size and tools to be a good rim protector in the league. On the flip side, Jones is not a consistent rebounder and is not strong enough to be an overall great defender. Still, his athleticism and agility are good enough to land him a second opportunity in the NBA.
