Former first-round pick Kai Jones won’t be with the Hornets during training camp, according to The Athletic, and it’s unclear when the center could return to the team from an indefinite absence.
The update comes days after the Charlotte Observer wrote about the situation surrounding Jones entering the season, detailing concerns following a video on Instagram Live where he appeared to be sweating and talking quickly to the point where it was difficult to understand his words.
Jones, who did say in the video that he didn’t think the Hornets would trade him anytime soon, addressed the situation on X, formerly known as Twitter, writing, “I was not on drugs or intoxicated I was enjoying my night in my crib y’all bugging” with four different emojis and “#GOATLIFE” tacked onto the end.
He also responded to a reply that asked him to admit LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller — the players Charlotte signed to a max contract and drafted No. 2 overall this offseason, respectively — were better by doing just the opposite.
“I’ve had a higher fg% than those guys since I came out the womb and none of them can guard me so know your ball before you talk to the one in here MF,” Jones wrote, adding five different emojis at the end.
Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said Tuesday that the situation had been “handled internally,” though he didn’t give an update on Jones after he reportedly didn’t participate in optional workouts throughout the summer.
Jones produced one of the NBA Summer League highlights by dunking on Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during the No. 1 overall pick’s debut, collecting a lob and slamming the ball around the big man in the third quarter of their July game.
“I’m having the most fun ever,” Jones told the Charlotte Observer during the NBA Summer League. “I’m enjoying it so much. I enjoy waking up and hooping every day. That’s what I love to do. I did it in the spring leading up to this, took a little break, came back and started working out every day, every day. “That’s just what I love to do. So, I’m just hooping and trying to get the ‘W.’ That’s my life. I’ve always been doing that. I love basketball.”
But if the summer basketball provided a glimpse at the role Jones — originally a Knicks draft pick and traded that same day — could fill for the Hornets, the recent developments have created a puzzling outlook for his short-term future with the team.
In 12 minutes per game last year, Jones, who hasn’t started yet in his NBA career, averaged 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
Charlotte will utilize Mark Williams and Nick Richards as the top centers, according to its ESPN depth chart.
