Backup center Kai Jones said he has requested a trade from the Hornets, posting a statement to social media.
“I have officially requested to be traded from the Charlotte Hornets,” Jones wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He then retweeted popular basketball Twitter aggregator NBA Central about his trade request.
I have officially requested to be traded from the Charlotte Hornets. #GOATLIFE
— Kai Jones (@242_jones) October 9, 2023
Jones, 22, was selected by the Knicks with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and was immediately traded to the Hornets. He has played sparingly since, appearing in 46 games last season and averaging 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds.
The Hornets announced on Sept. 30 that Jones would be away from the team indefinitely for personal reasons.
Jones is a native of the Bahamas and stands 6-foot-11. He played college basketball at Texas.
While he wants to be traded, the Hornets may have trouble finding a taker given the circumstances. But they are indeed open to moving him, sources told Hoops Wire.