Photo: kaijones242/IG

Free agent big man Kai Jones is currently showcasing his skills during a workout session with the Miami Heat on Monday, as reported by NBA insider Chris Haynes on Twitter.

Selected as the 19th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jones spent the 2024/25 season with two different teams – the Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks.

Throughout that season, he appeared in a total of 40 games, averaging 5.0 points and 3.1 rebounds while playing roughly 11.7 minutes per game.

Jones began last season on a two-way contract with the Clippers but was waived on March 1st when the team decided to bring in a couple of new two-way players.

Almost immediately, Jones was picked up by the Mavericks, who were grappling with numerous injuries in their frontcourt and in need of additional depth as they pushed toward the play-in tournament.

During his stint with Dallas, Jones elevated his performance, posting averages of 11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds across 12 games while playing 21.7 minutes per contest, including six starts.

Recent reports over the weekend suggested Jones was making headway toward signing with Virtus Bologna, a top European club, indicating he was open to continuing his career overseas.

However, Chris Haynes’ latest update implies that the 24-year-old forward is still keen on returning to the NBA and has not yet abandoned the hope of securing a spot on an NBA roster for the upcoming 2025/26 season.

As noted by Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (via Twitter), the Miami Heat currently have multiple openings on their 21-man training camp roster.

The Heat have a track record of inviting veteran free agents to work out during the offseason, some of whom – including players like R.J. Hampton and Nassir Little – have earned invitations to join training camp in recent years.

For Jones to begin the 2025/26 NBA season on an NBA team, he will need to make a standard 15-man roster, as he is no longer eligible to sign a two-way contract.

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