Hornets big man Kai Jones has submitted a trade request, he announced on social media (Twitter link).
Jones is indefinitely away from the Hornets — with no timetable for a return — due to personal reasons. That announcement came after the 22-year-old made a series of strange social media posts, including calling out some of his teammates.
A former first-round pick (19th overall in 2021), Jones has averaged just 2.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 67 total games with the Hornets (9.1 minutes per night). He has 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 will earn a guaranteed $3.05MM this season after the Hornets picked up their third-year option on his rookie scale contract last fall. However, based on recent events and his limited role during his first two seasons, it’s looking extremely unlikely that they will pick up his $4.69MM option for 2024/25.
It’s hard to envision any type of trade market materializing for Jones’ services at this point. Charlotte waiving him outright seems more plausible, given his modest contributions and odd behavior.
He also may face a fine from the NBA for making a public trade request.
Goat life.
You can’t make this stuff up with this franchise.
Clippers or Grizzlies should trade 4 this young man!
LAC yes.
Mem no they have quite a few bigs and they have all shown more than this guy.
At least he’s not demanding that the trade be to a specific team.
Miles Bridges – Beat viciously beat his wife.
Brandon Miller – Drove around a couple of teammates who later murdered a girl who rejected their advances. Also spent part of the night driving around the murder weapon while they were not in the car.
However, Kai Jones, gets described by the author as displaying “odd” behavior. Charlotte also kicked him to the curb.
Charlotte is a lost franchise!
why’d ya leave out bouknight?
Go look at his social media posts, rabble-rouser. I’ve seen literal crack addicts acting more sane.
Yeah, dude’s legitimately going through a mental health issue, “odd” is selling it lightly. Pretty clear most of the commenters either haven’t seen the posts (or read any details), or they have and are just dickholes about it because anonymity on the Internet. He doesn’t need to get traded, probably doesn’t need to be playing basketball now either, he needs *help*.
So your Samuel correct from the baseball boards ? I can’t keep up w all the burners
If you are referring to me …. I have no idea what Basketball Boards is. This is the only site that I do any basketball related posts on. I have posted on here for years.
He’s going to be traded, if they need salary filler. That was a given. No need to request this, he’s not in their plans lol, didn’t they dismiss him essentially.
Some team will offer a 2nd for Jones, and will regret it next year when he flames out there as well.
His new team should be overseas.
“Hi. I’m weird and I cannot play basketball at an NBA caliber level. Also … I hate everyone.”
Rest of the league: “OMG!!!! We will give up five future first round picks for you. Please please please join us!!!!”
They’ve had a bunch of bigs the last few years, some of whom are redundant with each other. Kai Jones and JT Thor both have potential. Jones was compared to Myles Turner at one point, but neither have improved at all, in my opinion, and have arguably slightly regressed in some areas. Not a fan of their decision making/shot selection
If he had been Myles Turner-like somehow, that would have been exactly what they’ve needed the last 2-3 years, besides health
If he was near Turner they wouldn’t have drafted Williams or Richards.
I thought Richards was drafted ahead of him, but Williams was drafted b/c they needed a post defender big for those types of matchups. Ive been a fan of Richards from when he was super raw, but wasnt getting opportunities. I consider all of those guys to have different skillsets
But i also think you missed the point where i said that obviously if he was like Turner, things would look a lot different for them. I said he hasnt improved at all
To The NY Knicks for Evan Fournier
Houston for MPJr… but i like the Fournier trade idea to Charlotte
Announcing his own trade request…
That’ll bring him a nice fine
It’s funny it’s gotten to this point with trade demands. It’s one thing with people like Durant that’s like Tom Cruise demanding something on set. Jones demanding a trade is like an extra going up to the director wanting a nice trailer.
Kai Jones just trolling nba fans. Love it
Kai has talent. And he just wants mins on a losing team. He should go back to G-league. Tear it up. And then look for a trade.
Tearing up the G-League doesn’t really prove much. How many 1st round picks get sent down and actually come back productive? James Wiseman still trying to figure things out.
You might want to learn what the G-league is for. He needs mins .
That means playing time ……
Against real talent ……
Only way you improve …..
Only way you show out ……
The G-League regulars are only a tad bit better than college players. The NBA is a big leap from G-League if you want regular rotation minutes. Rarely get a G-League gem and a team should not be drafting a guy round 1 in the lottery with intentions of sending them to G-League.
Celtics?
He is a little late, they likely been looking, just no takers. 1 2nd rounder at best or he is included in a filler trade. The Hornets know they won’t get anything good for him.
Everyone out here bashing this dude cause he got a sense of humor, never see anything about Hayward. Hmmmm, I wonder why?
My goodness, when you will stop being racist?
He better start learning to speak Chinese. NI HAO!
Lol
Kevin Porter jr fits this teams makeup
Bucks need a young center
Bucks trade Crowder and AJ Green to Houston. Houston trades Kevin Porter Jr to the Hornets. Hornets trade Jones to the Bucks
Shamet for Kai
Good one. Washington would be great for him. I think this is the best idea