Kai Jones is heading to Europe. Anadolu Efes officially announced the signing of the 24-year-old forward for the 2025-26 campaign.
Jones, a first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, began his professional career with the Charlotte Hornets. He spent two seasons in Charlotte but was waived in October 2023 following a turbulent offseason.
After a brief stint with the Delaware Blue Coats in the G League, Jones returned to the NBA in April 2024 with the Los Angeles Clippers. His role remained limited, appearing in 28 games while averaging 2.2 points per contest.
In March 2025, the Dallas Mavericks gave Jones another opportunity. He signed a two-way deal and immediately delivered his best NBA stretch, posting 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks across 12 appearances.
Despite his late-season surge, Dallas waived him at the end of the year. The move opened the door for Efes, a EuroLeague powerhouse, to secure his services.
Jones joins an experienced Anadolu Efes roster led by Shane Larkin, Rodrigue Beaubois, and Georgios Papagiannis. The Turkish club is looking to strengthen its frontcourt after Vincent Poirier’s injury and Rolands Smits’ heavy workload last season.
Efes coach Igor Kokoskov is expected to use Jones’ athleticism and rim protection as an energy boost off the bench. His ability to run the floor and finish above the rim fits the team’s up-tempo system.
For Jones, the move provides stability after a turbulent NBA journey. Efes offers the chance to showcase his skills in the EuroLeague while playing meaningful minutes in one of Europe’s most competitive environments.
Jones holds career averages of 3.5 points and 2.4 rebounds across 107 NBA games. His transition to the EuroLeague marks the latest chapter in a career that has already seen multiple stops across the NBA and G League.
