In search of center help after big man Mason Plumlee suffered a knee injury earlier this month, the Clippers considered former Hornet Kai Jones, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports told Dan Devine on the latest No Cap Room podcast (YouTube link).
However, based on Fischer’s comments, it doesn’t sound like Los Angeles seriously considered signing Jones.
“I know the Clippers were turning over every stone they could on the center market, to the point where they even, according to my sources, brought in one Kai Jones for a visit of some capacity,” Fischer said. “I’m not going to say too much on the former Charlotte Hornets first-round pick, but (he) doesn’t appear to be in mental or physical condition to be playing an NBA game right now. I just say that to say that shows the breadth of the Clippers’ search.”
The No. 19 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Jones averaged just 2.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game across 67 total appearances in his first two professional seasons. He had a much bigger role at the G League level, averaging 17.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.1 blocks in 38 regular season games with the Greensboro Swarm — Charlotte’s affiliate — from 2021-23.
Jones made a series of odd social media posts this offseason, calling out some of his teammates in a handful of tweets and videos. A report ahead of training camp indicated that the big man wouldn’t be reporting to the Hornets for personal reasons. He subsequently requested a trade and then was waived by the club shortly thereafter. The 22-year-old has been a free agent since then.
The Clippers ultimately found a temporary replacement for Plumlee – who is expected to miss a significant chunk of the season – on the buyout market. The club reportedly intends to sign Daniel Theis after he clears waivers on Friday, assuming he passes a physical. Theis negotiated a buyout with Indiana and was officially cut on Wednesday.
So this confirms there’s not much out there on the center and big man market. Yet every Warrior fan on the face of the planet outside of a couple were screaming to bring in one of those guys and add them to the roster.
Baffles me that casual fans like us will often shout from the rooftops that we know better than the GM’s paid to run these teams.
Yes it’s fun to give our opinions but when we call the professionals idiots we cross the line a little bit.
Tony Bradley and Kai Jones are the only young or younger Centers out there. I did find a couple undrafted centers out there. If anyone wants to know ask me but I don’t expect that. GS should go after Kai Jones and let Guruba go
Yes I hope they can make something of Guruba. I wish he was 7 ft and not 6’8 but he seems athletic enough to play the 5.
Why not going @ Theis instead, he is a solid high IQ center who can rebound on a minimum vet …
I wouldn’t call them idiots. But I would call a few of their moves idiotic. Like Moreys fascination with Harden.
I know I can see talent. But it doesn’t mean that talent can fit with a team.
But in the case of vets. I think real fans who really follow this game or team. Do have something to say about it. It’s not rocket science. If you really played and follow it. You can see a lot that this game has to offer.
In the case of Kai. This guy was a great athlete for a big. That’s what he showed in the combine. That’s why he went in first rd. First rd money must have got to his head. Having game, athleticism, sense. Are all different things. It’s too bad. I thought he had potential.
Kai must have something going on between the ears. But yeah I’m the first one to give my opinions on guys. Why did they sign this bozo and not that star Etc lol. Good stuff Al.
One look at Kai Jones’ Twitter posts will confirm that he doesn’t really have anything between the ears. He just keeps comparing himself to God, for some bizarre reason.
Kai Jones blocked Wemby in pre Season so he must believe IS really gooood
Why not. They signed Pervert Primo
The different is “readiness to play”. Fisher said that Kai was also not in good physical shape in addition to whatever is going on with his headspace.
Also, and I’m probably going to get some hate for this, I have a bigger issue with the Spurs covering up what Primo did and firing his accuser than Primo’s actual actions.
Let me be clear, I don’t find exposing himself repeatedly to be accepable behavior, and in most situations I’d be right there with everyone else. It’s sick, and when there’s a perceived power difference between the parties such as a pro athlete against a normal person, it’s worse.
In Primo’s case, the kid was getting psychiatric treatment at the time, and clearly wasn’t well. That doesn’t excuse his behavior, but it does go a long way towards explaining why he’d do that. He should have been punished, and he was. Maybe not harshly enough, but he was already struggling with his own brain. And he didn’t physically do anything or verbally imply anything to the councilor as far as we’re aware. I don’t have a problem with him getting a second chance. If he f***s it up again, that’s another story.
The Spurs firing his psychiatrist when she said she wasn’t comfortable treating him was just nasty, tbh. That’s not how you treat your employees. Then they tried to cover up the incident until she went public. If that had happened in my job, my bosses would get fired *so* fast the door wouldn’t have time to hit them on the way out.
Maybe I have a different perspective because in my job as a psych evaluator for the courts, I’ve had similar things happen to me. Most of these people who need help just aren’t all there, and can’t properly think about how their actions will affect others. I see Primo the same way, though less severe.
basketball god.
Clippers seem to be having plenty issues now…… Geeeee I wonder why ??
Getting Theis was a solid move.
If Clippers implode this year. I can see them blowing this up. Why start off in new Arena. With old ares issues ……
You have a team with 4 stars and still Kai would think he should be the number one guy.
Kai Jones to wizards
Nothing to lose