The Los Angeles Clippers just got a big reinforcement.
Kai Jones signed a multi-year deal with Tyronn Lue’s team, and he’s expected to contribute to them right away in the playoffs.
Notably, this seemed impossible months ago.
Jones sparked some online mockery and concern with his social media activity, and it seemed like he wasn’t mentally right at the time.
The Charlotte Hornets released him, drawing backlash for not sticking up for a player who clearly needed help.
Jones disappeared from the public eye for a while before making his return to the G League, eventually signing a 10-day contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
And now that he’s officially back in the league, he wanted to thank the Players Association for giving him the assistance and guidance he needed during a tough time, revealing he attended therapy twice a week to get back to a mental space in which he could play again (via Tomer Azarly and ClutchPoints).
“I want to thank the NBPA. They stepped in and played a major role in my off-the-court development program where i was doing therapy 2 times a week to get me ready to get back into this professional environment so I can adjust in the right way.”
Kai Jones on what steps he took… pic.twitter.com/7TEKT2cV0k
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 14, 2024
That’s something you absolutely love to see.
It was a big win for the NBPA, as that’s why they exist in the first place.
The rest of the league turned its back on a player when he needed them the most, and he could’ve been out of the NBA if it wasn’t for this.
Hopefully, he’s going to keep getting the help he needs and continues his career, and that incident won’t be anything but a distant memory in his past.
NEXT: Clippers Announce Roster Cut After Signing Kai Jones
