A player who could beat prime Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James one-on-one. Better than LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. A better midrange game than Michael Jordan. Yes, he does exist. We’re talking about none other than Kai Jones. Well, all this was according to him, but he could never back it up. And this isn’t even half of it. However, he has one more shot now to stand up to his words.

Initially acquired by the Charlotte Hornets in 2021 via a draft day trade with the New York Knicks, who chose him with their 19th pick overall. During the 2022-23 season, Jones averaged 3.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.4 steals per game. He was struggling to get play time and did not show promise even when given the chance. And his off-court antics didn’t help either. So he was waived by the Hornets in October of last year.

But fate has knocked on Jones’ door once again. In the offseason, he was offered an Exhibit 10 contract by the Los Angeles Clippers. He took it with open arms. After putting up 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 1.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in 24.2 minutes over five preseason games, Jones claimed the Clippers’ final two-way contract.

Two-way contracts pay half the value of a rookie minimum salary ($559,782 for the 2023-24 season, pro-rated based on the in-season signing date). Players on two-ways are not playoff eligible and are limited to 50 games on a team’s active list (also pro-rated).

Jones stirred the pot a couple of times during his time with the Hornets, or did he poke the Hornet’s nest? Anyway, he went live on Instagram. He was looking very energetic and was struggling to string sentences. People speculated that he was on drugs or intoxicated. He even criticized his teammate Mark Williams publicly! Almost a crime in professional sports. Whatever happens, stays inside and gets sorted behind closed doors. With his bizarre set of tweets, everyone was concerned about his mental health.

Kai Jones opened up about how therapy has helped him

The 23-year-old is expected to start the season as the third-choice center behind Ivica Zubac and Mo Bamba (knee). If playing time becomes limited, Jones may spend some time in the G League. Moreover, not only has he found an opportunity with the Clipper on-court, but the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) has stepped in and helped him off-court.

“I want to thank the NBPA. They stepped in and played a major role in my off-the-court development program, where I was doing therapy two times a week to get me ready to get back into this professional environment so I could adjust in the right way and get me ready for the FIBA AmeriCup, too,” Jones responded to a question by Tom Azarly.

For years, the Los Angeles Clippers have lacked the type of athletic player capable of soaring for a highlight-reel dunk or emphatic blocks. Known for his explosive athleticism and leaping ability, the 6-foot-11 Texas native fills that void perfectly. He even dunked on Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 Summer League. His shot-blocking skills will also provide crucial support to the Clippers’ defense in the paint, an area where they’ve needed help.

“It’s been very refreshing. I’ve been excited to play. I love getting up and down in practice every day, and the games have been great. We had a pretty good preseason, so let’s continue to build from there,” said Jones, speaking to Joey Linn, the Clippers beat writer for Sports Illustrated.

Following a rocky tenure in Charlotte, Jones seems to have gained valuable lessons from his past and is embracing his new beginning with the Clippers.