Kai Jones to be away from Hornets indefinitely for personal reasons

Kai Jones to be away from Hornets indefinitely for personal reasons

Charlotte Hornets big Kai Jones will be away from the team indefinitely, without a timetable for return, due to personal reasons, NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Saturday. He will miss all of training camp, which opens Oct. 3, and will remain in “constant communication” with the organization, per Charania.

The Charlotte Hornets will have 2021 first-round pick Kai Jones away from the team indefinitely and there’s no timetable for his return, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Jones will miss training camp due to personal reasons, and team remains in constant communication with him.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 30, 2023

Jones, 22, has had suspicious social media activity of late, including throwing shots at multiple Hornet teammates. According to Hornets beat writer Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer, the Hornets were aware of Jones’ post. Fowler cites that the team seemed “concerned” about Jones, while his social media activity has “raised eyebrows and worried people.”

Fowler also notes that Jones “hasn’t been participating in the optional team drills” this offseason.

Hornets seem concerned about Kai Jones, whose odd behavior on social media has raised eyebrows and worried people.
From what I understand, Jones hasn’t been participating in the optional team drills and it’s undetermined if he will be there when practice starts next week.

— Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler) September 26, 2023

Hornets seem concerned about Kai Jones, whose odd behavior on social media has raised eyebrows and worried people.
From what I understand, Jones hasn’t been participating in the optional team drills and it’s undetermined if he will be there when practice starts next week.

— Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler) September 26, 2023

The Hornets released a statement Saturday afternoon confirming Jones’ absence.

The @hornets released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/v13Y8vh4i0

— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) September 30, 2023

Jones, a 6-foot-11 big who was selected No. 19 overall in the 2021 draft, was entering his third season with the Hornets.

The Hornets picked up Jones’ third-year team option last October, set to be worth $3.05 million, per Spotrac. Charlotte has until Oct. 31 to either exercise or decline his fourth-year option worth $4.7 million.

Over his first two years, he’s played in 67 total games, averaging 2.7 points and two rebounds on 56.7 percent shooting. Over a per-36-minute clip, he’s averaged 10.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks.

Last season with the Greensboro Swarm–Charlotte’s G-League affiliate–Jones averaged 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game on 75.0 percent shooting (81.7 percent true-shooting) in 14 games (13 starts).

We wish nothing but the best for Kai and his recovery!

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