Over the last 7 days, Kai Jones has released a tyrant of concerning videos, comments, and trash talk.
It all started with an Instagram live, where Kai Jones spoke on the Hornets potentially moving on from him via trade. His response: nobody is too sure. Kai let out a blur of words, talking strangely, but most noticeably, differently. Whether or not he was under the effect of alcohol and/or drugs, is not up for us to debate; that is between Kai and whomever he holds close enough to talk to them about it.
What is concerning fans is the relentless stream of messages, tweets, replies, and comments from across his 'X' and his Instagram account. This included trash talking HIS OWN TEAMMATES. These are the people you are meant to go to war with, the people you share almost every day with, the people you're meant to be close enough to to be able to confide in. At least in my opinion. We can't be worried about how his rapid spiral is (undoubtedly) affecting the team, and the locker room atmosphere. We should be worried about this young man as a person, with a long, potentially very successful life ahead of him, as he is pushing the people he should be closest to away from him. We've seen this before with NBA players, and it never ends well. A perfect example? Delonte West.
The Hornets should obviously be looking to move on from Kai after this, but they need to ensure wherever they send him is good for his development, not just as a player, but as a young man with the world at his feet.
At least, that's my two cents.
With this in mind, odds are Kai Jones may never don the teal and purple again, and its time to start looking at potential moves for 'The Kid'.
Trade 1: Boston Celtics
Hornets Receive:
Payton Pritchard (1yr/$4m) (+Team Option)
Jordan Walsh (4yr/$4.4m)
2024 2nd Round Pick (via San Antonio, top 54 Protected)
Celtics Receive:
Kai Jones (2yrs/$6m) (+Team Option)
2030 2nd Round Pick (via Charlotte, top 50 Protected)
For the Hornets, we add a solid backup PG who can cover for Frank Ntlikina whilst he is injured, and may even keep his spot if he continues to show his knockdown three point ability. We also add a solid 2nd round prospect who showed the world what he's all about during Summer League in Jordan Walsh. I thoroughly believe that Walsh has a future in this league, and that he could be a solid piece for the Hornets for years to come.
On the Celtics end of the bargain, they add a young piece with plenty of potential, and as a team on the verge of the salary cap, having someone who can compete at a solid level on a rookie-scale deal is invaluable to a contending team like Boston.
Trade 2: Washington Wizards
Hornets Receive:
Tyus Jones (1yr/$14.4m)
2025 2nd Round Pick (via Pheonix)
Wizards Receive:
Kai Jones (2yrs/$6m) (+Team Option)
James Bouknight (2yrs/$9m) (+Team Option)
Cody Martin (3yrs/$22.5M)
2026 1st Round Pick (via Charlotte, top 20 Protected)\
We would finally clean-house of the disaster that was the 2021 NBA Draft, all whilst adding the best backup PG in the league. This move should absoloutely be on the cards if the front office is really trying to make a postseason run this season. As shown last season when Ja Morant was injured, Tyus Jones is able to keep the team going even if Lamelo suffers another injury.
The Wizards get to high upside 22-year-old's, which undoubtably will put bums in seats while there isn't much to cheer for the the capital. They also add a 1st Round Pick, which funnily is more then they got for one of their greatest players ever this off-season.
Trade 3: Spurs and Mavericks
Hornets Receive:
Olivier-Maxcence Prosper (4yr/$10.8m) (+Team Option)
2025 2nd Round Pick (via Toronto)
2028 2nd Round Pick (via San Anonio, top 45 protected)
Spurs Receive:
Kai Jones (2yrs/$6m) (+Team Option)
Mike Miles Jr. (1yr/$1.9m) (Two-Way)
Mavericks Receive:
Zach Collins (1yr/$7.7m)
James Bouknight (2yrs/$9m) (+Team Option)
I'm a huge fan of O-Max, and I truly he can contribute to a winning team this year, whilst still on a rookie scale deal. He is an elite perimeter defender, a solid playmaker, with perfect size and athleticism for the forward spot. We also add 2 future draft assets, which may very well become invaluable for trades in the future as this team begins to build towards contention.
For the Spurs, they get a high-upside, low-cost running mate for Wembenyama. Imagine a squad with Tre Jones, Malaki Branham, Keldon Johnson, Kai Jones and Victor Wembenyama. That. Souns. Fun.
On the Mavs end, they attempt to replace the departure of Christian Wood by adding a solid 5. They also get James Bouknight, adding to the impressive array of high-upside guards on their roster.
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