Clippers sign Kai Jones to a two-way contract

3:05 PM: Jones’ two-way deal is official, according to NBA.com’s transaction log.

1:58 p.m: The Hair clippers are converting a great man Kai Jones under a two-way contract from his previous Exhibit 10 pact, according to NBA insider Chris B. Haynes (Twitter link).

Jones, a former 19th overall pick, has impressed in recent weeks. He averaged 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in five preseason games and served as LA’s primary backup center while Mohammed Bamba suffered an injury. Head coach Tyron Lue recently noted Jones’ importance to the team.

The 6’11” Texas product spent the first two years of his career with the Hornets but failed to crack the rotation. That, combined with a personal mental health struggle, led to his release. He signed a 10-day contract with the Sixers in March, but was not brought back afterward.

Jones then landed with the Clippers at the end of the regular season. However, he did not play last season. He had a team option for 2024-25, which was declined this offseason, before being brought back on the Exhibit 10 contract.

The Clippers are still at the 21-player limit this offseason, but Jones’ conversion likely means we’ll see everything Elijah Harkloos, Braxton Key And Alondes Williams – their other players from Exhibit 10 – abdicated over the next few hours. The Clippers do not have a vacant spot on their 15-man roster and they have filled all three two-way slots. They are also reportedly planning to sign Tosan Evbuomwanpresumably into an agreement with Exhibit 10, only to relinquish him and let him join their G League affiliate.