The Clippers have declined their $2.2MM team option on backup big man Kai Jones, according to Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Team officials hope to work out a new contract with Jones, who will now be an unrestricted free agent, Murray adds.
The 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft, Jones wasn’t able to earn rotation minutes during his first two seasons with Charlotte. He was waived in October after a series of unusual social media posts that called out several of his Hornets teammates.
Jones returned to the NBA in March on a 10-day contract with Philadelphia, but didn’t see any game action before it expired. He signed with the Clippers on the final day of the regular season and didn’t get into a game with them either.
But he is the best player in the league.
Typical clippers making stupid decisions cutting a kid who’s better than MJ
Dennis S on the Raptors is the best player in the world
This kid needs help, hope the NBA doesn’t close their eyes
It’s on him.
The NBA, teams can only do so much.