Report: Clippers bringing back C/F Kai Jones

The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to terms with free agent center/forward Kai Jones for a non-guaranteed contract to return to the team, The Athletic reported Friday.

The Clippers had Jones under contract in April but declined the team option in late June. Jones, 23, won't be available to play for the summer league team because of an ankle injury.

The New York Knicks selected the 6-foot-11 Jones with the 19th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Texas, then traded his rights the next day to the Charlotte Hornets.

He played in 67 games as a reserve for the Hornets from 2021-23, averaging 2.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.5 blocks and 9.1 minutes before his release in October 2023. He shot 56.7 percent from the field.

After a stint in the G League, Jones was signed to a 10-day contract by the Philadelphia 76ers on March 15, and the Clippers signed him on April 14.

--Field Level Media