With a strong start to the season, the Philadelphia 76ers are in a difficult situation. With a 35-27 record, the 76ers are
ranked seventh in the Eastern Conference. Joel Embiid, the current MVP, hasn’t played since January, though.
When Embiid is not in the game, the 76ers have a 9-19 record for the season. Even after bringing in veteran guard
Kyle Lowry via the buyout market, Philadelphia is still trying to improve in order to contend in the latter part of the
season. A potential fix? Former center Kai Jones of the Charlotte Hornets.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that Jones will be working out with the 76ers. The Hornets had waived Jones
in October following several rants on social media.

Jones was selected by the Hornets with the 19th choice in the NBA Draft of 2021. Jones was selected in the first
round, but he did not receive much playing time in Charlotte. Jones played 9.1 minutes a game, 2.7 points, and 2
rebounds on average during his two seasons with the Hornets.
Jones disclosed on the Vizion Podcast that he had been holding meetings with teams following his waive by the
Hornets:
“At the moment, I’m merely having meetings with teams; they’re attempting to learn more about me and are
examining my personality,” Kai Jones stated. “I believe that the most important thing for me to do is to work harder,
pay more attention to detail, be more consistent, and become stronger in my will, mental clarity, and physical
strength than I have ever been if I want to go farther in life and achieve greater success than I have ever had.”
Additionally, prior to the Los Angeles Clippers signing Daniel Theis, Jones reportedly piqued the curiosity of the
franchise, according to Yahoo Sports reporter Jake Fischer.

Most significantly, Jones gives a club that needs it depth at the center position. The starting center for the 76ers has
recently alternated between Paul Reed and Mo Bamba. Beyond these two, though, Philadelphia lacks a real center to
support them. Embiid is anticipated to return eventually, but if the 76ers make it that far, they’ll need to conserve
Reed and Bamba for the postseason. Jones’s signing affords them this luxury.
With regards to his skills on the floor, Jones is a guard-like transition runner who is athletic and plenty of
enthusiasm. And while he hasn’t got many chances to demonstrate it, Jones can bring down the long ball. Jones also
possesses the size and tools necessary to be a competent rim protector in the league thanks to his 6’11” frame.
Conversely, Jones lacks the strength to be an all-around excellent defender and struggles to grab rebounds.
Nevertheless, his quickness and athleticism are sufficient to earn him another shot at playing in the NBA.