The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN big man Kai Jones will now take his talents from the East Coast to the West Coast after being signed to a multi-year deal by the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday ahead of their upcoming postseason run.

The fourth seeded Western Conference team made room for Jones on the roster after waiving guard Josh Primo, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

The announcement was made by Shams Charania (The Athletic) via the X social media platform.

“Free agent C/F Kai Jones is finalising a multiyear with the Los Angeles Clippers, joining their playoff roster, sources tell me and @LawMurrayTheNU,” he posted.

The latest news comes on the heels of Jones’ recent 10-day stint with the Philadelphia 76ers in March.

The Sixers signed the 6-foot-11 centre/power forward to a 10-day deal but he was unable to make his season debut due to a hamstring strain that kept him sidelined.

Nonetheless, after hitting the open market towards the end of March, the senior men’s national basketball team player now has the opportunity to make the first playoff appearance of his National Basketball Association (NBA) career.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg shared his thoughts on the Clippers’ recent acquisition.

“I think Kai only needed a second opportunity to get a chance to play and show his skills. I think it started when he played with the national team and I think the teams in the league then began to see that he is much more focused and committed again to playing the game and that opened the door for him. I am happy to see that he is signed and I am looking forward to him having a very successful NBA season,” Bowleg said.

The third time may prove to be the charm for Jones. He had a tough stretch this season which started with him being waived by the Charlotte Hornets due to some controversial actions off the court. The athletic big man spent a good chunk of the NBA season as a free agent which gave him the chance to play for The Bahamas in the first window of the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Americup 2025 Qualifiers against Puerto Rico in February.

He averaged 13.5 points per game, 8 rebounds and 1.5 steals while shooting 68.8 per cent from the field in the home and away games.

The no.19 pick of the 2021 draft class then caught the attention of the 76ers, who were lacking the services of league MVP Joel Embiid, but the situation was short-lived.

Now with yet another opportunity on the table for Jones to get into the NBA landscape, Bowleg is optimistic about his future.

“We were optimistic about it before and I still feel that way. He just needs a chance to continue to develop. He is young and has much more growing to do and I think that once he gets to the peak of his game then we will see the real, improved and more excited Kai Jones,” Bowleg said.

The Clippers (51-30) are currently the fourth seed and will face the Dallas Mavericks (50-31), the southwest division champions, in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. Jones and his newest team will hope to make a deep run in the Western Conference.

The 23-year-old averaged 3.4 ppg and 2.7 rebounds with the Hornets last season.

The first round of the NBA Playoffs begins on April 20.