Versatility: Veteran looks forward to having Kai Jones on the 76ers & and Former Sixer Puts…

March 20, 2024 Sports Gist Basketball, NBA 0

New Energy & Athleticism: Sixers Veteran Embraces Potential Reunion With New Addition Kai Jones and Former Sixer Puts Together Solid…..

Kelly Oubre looks forward to having Kai Jones on the Philadelphia 76ers.

Over the last two seasons, Philadelphia 76ers veteran Kelly Oubre shared the court with the young center Kai Jones. When Jones was brought to the Charlotte Hornets during the 2021 NBA Draft, he joined the team at the same time Oubre inked a two-year deal to join them.

Fast forward to the 2023-2024 NBA season, and the two former Hornets reunite as members of the Sixers.

With Jones recently joining the Sixers on a temporary contract, Oubre looks forward to his former teammate getting another opportunity to showcase his skill set in the NBA. On Saturday, hours before facing the Hornets, Oubre addressed the addition of Jones following Philadelphia’s morning shootaround.

“[He brings] new energy, athleticism, versatility,” Oubre said of Jones. “It’s up to us to welcome him with open arms to let him know that you know, we are your family. You’re loved, and I’m happy to have my boy back.”

Being in the NBA since 2015, Oubre entered the situation in Charlotte as a seasoned veteran. With experience playing in Washington, Phoenix, and Golden State, Oubre was in a position where he was a player that young guys could look up to.

“I was definitely a good voice of reason for [Kai] over there in Charlotte,” Oubre added. “I think that everything happens for a reason.”

Since signing on with the Sixers, Jones was ruled out for the team’s first game on Saturday. Based on Nick Nurse’s pregame comments regarding the young veteran, it seems that will be the trend throughout Jones’ ten-day tenure with the team.

“I think we just wanted to get him ten days down [in Delaware], first and foremost,” Nurse said. “After those ten days, we’ll re-evaluate and take it from there.”

With Jones not seeing any real action with the Hornets since last season, the Sixers are evaluating the former first-rounder’s run with the Delaware Blue Coats in the NBA G League to determine whether he’s ready to take his talents to the NBA once again or not.

So far, Jones has two runs with the Blue Coats. Averaging 24 minutes on the floor through two games, Jones averaged 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block. During his second showing with the Coats, Jones suffered a hamstring setback, which took him off the floor for half of the game.

The severity of his setback is unknown, it didn’t have an affect on the Sixers when they went into their Monday night matchup against the Miami Heat. With Jones remaining in the mix for Delaware for the time being, the work he puts on display in the developmental league will go a long way in determining his next steps.

Also Read:

Former Sixer Puts Together Solid Debut With Rival Team

Marcus Morris had a decent debut with a Philadelphia 76ers rival.

Since the Philadelphia 76ers parted with multiple players in the trade market this year, just two of the five players they sent packing have suited up and played.

On Monday night, Marcus Morris became the third, finally debuting with a new team after spending the past month on the free agency market.

Suiting up for the Cleveland Cavaliers for the first time in his career, Morris collected nearly 20 minutes off the bench in his first set of action.

As the Cavs faced the Indiana Pacers, Morris came off the bench and shot an efficient 5-7 from the field. All but two of his shots came from beyond the arc, and he found success on four of those attempts from deep. Morris produced 14 points, leading the Cavs’ bench in his debut. He also totaled four rebounds on the glass.

The Cavs managed to advance to 43-25 on the year by defeating the Pacers 108-103. Everything went right for Morris, who is looking to make Cleveland his temporary home for the remainder of the 2023-2024 NBA season.

When Morris inked a deal with the Cavs late last week, he agreed to a 10-Day contract. Before March wraps up, the Cavs will have to decide whether he’s worth a one-year deal or not.

Cleveland serves as Morris’s third team this season. He started the year off as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. As it was clear Morris wanted a fresh start, he was included in the late-October trade between the Clippers and the Sixers, which sent him packing to his hometown.

Playing in Philly professionally was a dream come true for Morris. Unfortunately, the dream was short-lived. After 37 appearances in a Sixers uniform, Morris found himself dealt away to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team trade, which also included the Pacers.

Being that the Spurs were headed towards another playoff absence, they did Morris a favor and waived him. At first, Morris was reportedly considering joining the Minnesota Timberwolves. While that scenario evidently fell through, Morris landed with the Cavaliers weeks later.

If all goes well over the next week and a half, Morris could be a key contributor on a potential playoff opponent for Philadelphia next month.

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