By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama native Chavano “Buddy” Hield and NBA free agent Kai Jones could potentially join forces in the future as the Philadelphia 76ers want to meet and work out with the 2021 first rounder, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

In a video posted to the X platform, Charania said the 76ers have shown interest in the Bahamian big man in hopes of filling an open roster spot.

“The 76ers are planning to work out and meet with former Hornets first round pick Kai Jones in the coming days, sources tell me. The 76ers are showing an interest in Jones, who was waived by Charlotte in mid-October, and has been working on himself on and off the court in the aftermath and the 76ers do have an open roster spot,” he said.

The 6-foot-11 player was waived by the Charlotte Hornets last October following some questionable posts on social media and a request for a trade.

Since then, Jones has not been picked up by any NBA organisation and remains a free agent.

Despite not suiting up for any NBA teams this season, Jones was selected to represent The Bahamas for the first window of the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers against Puerto Rico.

In the two games played, he averaged 13.5 points per game, eight rebounds and 1.5 steals while shooting 68.8 per cent from the field. The 23-year-old scored 13 points, seven rebounds and turned in countless high- light reels against Puerto Rico in an 88-77 away win. He followed up this performance with 14 points and nine rebounds in an 86-67 loss at home.

The potential addition of Jones to the 76ers’ roster can be mutually beneficial for both parties involved. For Jones, he is looking to make his return to a NBA roster after being waived by the Hornets organisation.

Meanwhile, the “City of Brotherly Love” is looking to fill the void of losing the league’s reigning MVP Joel Embiid to a knee injury with no expected timetable for his return.

Philadelphia has lost their last three games and plummeted to the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference after going 6-14 in their last 20 games.

The no.19 pick of the 2021 draft class averaged 2.1 points and 2.0 rebounds in 67 regular season games. He is hoping to find a new home in the Association soon.