Kai Jones, a 24-year-old free agent power forward who was the No. 19 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, is visiting the Miami Heat in hopes of getting a new NBA contract with his third team in his career, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Jones started out the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Clippers before getting waived and signing a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks. He played in 12 games, starting six, with the Mavs last season.
In those games, Jones showed that he belongs in the NBA. In the 12 short games in Dallas, he averaged 11.4 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 83.6% from the field.
Despite showing interest in going overseas and playing for Italy’s Virtus Bologna, Jones is still pursuing a career in the NBA, according to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire. The Miami Heat have multiple roster spots open as mini camp begins in October.
After getting drafted out of the University of Texas by the Charlotte Hornets in 2021, Jones never found consistent playing time. The most minutes per game he averaged in a season with the Hornets was 12.0 in 2022-23.
The power forward would have to agree with a team on a full-NBA deal, as he is no longer eligible for a two-way contract after playing too many seasons in the league.
At 6-foot-11, 221 pounds, Jones can play at both the power forward and center positions. If the Heat were to sign him, he would likely serve a bench role behind players like Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jovic, and Kyle Anderson.
