Officially Waived: The Kai Jones Thread

[BigSlam]

If we did go with Jones we could fully commit to an up tempo game style.

LaMelo, Miles and Kai would be something else getting up and down the court - in both directions.

[wilson115]

Watch on YouTube

[amcoolio]

He is moving a lot faster in the draft workout clips than his tape

He just needs to prove he can rebound and defend the rim

[SWedd523]

Really? The thing that initially drew me to him was his motor in highlight clips. He seemed to be going full sprint everywhere

[Braggins]

That video shows him missing nine straight spot up corner 3s.

[luciano-davidwesley]

He seems like a guy that runs the floor well and has flashy dunks but has no other discernable basketball skills. He's a huge gamble.

[BigSlam]

He seems like a guy that runs the floor well and has flashy dunks but has no other discernable basketball skills. He's a huge gamble.

Even though he's only been playing basketball for a few years, he already has things like a Euro step, great timing as a weak side cutter, the ability to lead the break, a legit 3 ball, phenomenal iso man on man defense all the way out to the 3pt line and against guards.

The kid has some tricks that are absolutely discernible basketball skills.

You are right though, he is a huge gamble. But if that gamble pays off.....

[GoBobs]

He seems like a guy that runs the floor well and has flashy dunks but has no other discernable basketball skills. He's a huge gamble.

Even though he's only been playing basketball for a few years, he already has things like a Euro step, great timing as a weak side cutter, the ability to lead the break, a legit 3 ball, phenomenal iso man on man defense all the way out to the 3pt line and against guards.

The kid has some tricks that are absolutely discernible basketball skills.

You are right though, he is a huge gamble. But if that gamble pays off.....

Can’t pass
Can’t dribble
No post moves
Doesn’t score
Doesn’t rebound

Best case is 2 years away from being 2 years away

[BigSlam]

Can’t pass

Have you actually watched him play?

Can’t dribble

It would appear you haven’t actually watched him play.

No post moves

He’s not Al Jefferson, but he also doesn’t project to be an Al Jefferson type player.

Doesn’t score

His almost 10ppg in only 20mins per game as a back up big at Texas would suggest otherwise.

Doesn’t rebound

For a kid who’s only played basketball for 4 years his rebounding is solid and looks like it can be built on.

Best case is 2 years away from being 2 years away

That is such a cliched saying from 2014 that’s really simple minded - and guys who have high upside often take some investment development.

[GoBobs]

Can’t pass

Have you actually watched him play?

Can’t dribble

It would appear you haven’t actually watched him play.

No post moves

He’s not Al Jefferson, but he also doesn’t project to be an Al Jefferson type player.

Doesn’t score

His almost 10ppg in only 20mins per game as a back up big at Texas would suggest otherwise.

Doesn’t rebound

For a kid who’s only played basketball for 4 years his rebounding is solid and looks like it can be built on.

Best case is 2 years away from being 2 years away

That is such a cliched saying from 2014 that’s really simple minded - and guys who have high upside often take some investment development.

8.8 pts 4.8 reb 0.6 ast 1.4 turnovers 0.9 blk 0.8 stl in 23 minutes

the only thing that looks like an nba skill is the 3 ball and that is a very very small sample size, 13/34 on the year. Having just started playing basketball recently is not a huge plus. It doesn't mean he is going to develop nba skills. Most people don't and recent history suggests a better plan is to draft guys that already have some.

[amcoolio]

8.8 pts 4.8 reb 0.6 ast 1.4 turnovers 0.9 blk 0.8 stl in 23 minutes

the only thing that looks like an nba skill is the 3 ball and that is a very very small sample size, 13/34 on the year. Having just started playing basketball recently is not a huge plus. It doesn't mean he is going to develop nba skills. Most people don't and recent history suggests a better plan is to draft guys that already have some.

Look at Jarrett Allen's Texas stats in more minutes

Kai was in a loaded frontcourt and playing out of position as well.

I have my reservations but you can't deny Kai moves very well without the ball for a big. He does need a lot of development though

[BigSlam]

FWIW: Looks like they are bringing Jones in for a private workout.

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[JDR720]

Makes me think of Christian Wood.

[amcoolio]

Question, are teams allowed to use their players in private workouts. Like is Kai Jones able to insert into the 5 spot and the Hornets can run plays with LaMelo, Hayward and Terry

[SWedd523]

Question, are teams allowed to use their players in private workouts. Like is Kai Jones able to insert into the 5 spot and the Hornets can run plays with LaMelo, Hayward and Terry

I never thought of that.

Sounds like a really good idea and makes a ton of sense

So I'm guessing it's not allowed

[KingCat]

Think he can be a taller John Collins if developed well.

[Snidely FC]

the team recently invested in a gifted scoring but immobile 5 (Vernon Carey Jr) with defensive limitations, as well as a former All-American 5 with positional size and wingspan whose lack of motor and confidence would seem to consign him to backup (Nick Richards). The team therefore has an opening for a rollicking Rim Protecting Rim Rolling big to fly around the court and run like a gazelle alongside Lamelo + Miles. I like Kai Jones for that role

[BigSlam]

the team recently invested in a gifted scoring but immobile 5 (Vernon Carey Jr) with defensive limitations, as well as a former All-American 5 with positional size and wingspan whose lack of motor and confidence would seem to consign him to backup (Nick Richards). The team therefore has an opening for a rollicking Rim Protecting Rim Rolling big to fly around the court and run like a gazelle alongside Lamelo + Miles. I like Kai Jones for that role

I really like how players like Jones and Carey could compliment each other.

You want to run plays that has us getting up and down the court in a hurry with lots of ball movement and cutting? You have Jones in at the 5.

You want to slow it down and run a series of half court sets? You have Carey in at the 5.

The beauty of a player that has the skill set (mobility, perimeter defence etc) and size of Jones is that you can also run plays where you go big with Bridges at the 3, Jones at the 4 and Carey at the 5 for a while.

The thing I find really appealing though is having two super switchable guys playing the 4 and 5 on defence in Bridges and Jones. I think those two, with their quick feet and weak side shot blocking/rim defending, could give opposing teams fits.

And then for Bridges and Jones to get out on transition offense flying down the wings with LaMelo leading the break? That could be something reallllllllllll special.

[Rays Pompadour]

Sigh...fine. I like him now.

[KingCat]

I wouldn't bang my head if we drafted him, but will feel kinda bad drafting a guy who won't consistently see the floor for 2 or 3 years. Would be interesting seeing what level player Borrego turns him into.