The Charlotte Hornets have announced that forward Kai Jones will be absent from the start of training camp following a series of unusual social media posts. The team made the announcement on Saturday, stating that there is currently no timetable for his return. The Hornets have chosen to not disclose further information regarding the matter at this time out of respect for the personal nature of the situation.

The bizarre posts in question took place on Instagram earlier this month, where Jones appeared to be dancing and rambling incoherently. He made bold claims such as calling himself the greatest basketball player of all time and expressing his determination to win the NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Jones even went as far as stating that he believed he could defeat LeBron James in a one-on-one match. In addition to these boasts, he also wrote on social media that he was a better shooter than his teammates LaMelo Ball and rookie Brandon Miller, stating that he had a higher field goal percentage than them since birth and claiming that they couldn't guard him.

Jones, a first-round draft pick in 2021, had a successful collegiate career at Texas before entering the NBA. The Hornets acquired him from the New York Knicks as the 19th overall pick. Over the past two years, Jones has played in 67 games for the Hornets, averaging 2.7 points per game.

The absence of Jones during training camp follows a report from The Athletic indicating that his return to the team is uncertain and that he is currently on an indefinite absence. The Charlotte Observer had previously shed light on the situation, highlighting a video on Instagram Live where Jones appeared to be sweating and speaking rapidly, making it difficult to comprehend his words. In response to the concerns raised, Jones took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to deny any drug or intoxication involvement and claimed he was simply enjoying his evening at home. He also expressed confidence that the Hornets would not trade him anytime soon.

Hornets head coach Steve Clifford commented on the situation, stating that it had been dealt with internally. However, he did not provide any further updates on Jones' status. Reports suggest that Jones did not participate in optional workouts during the summer.

While Jones demonstrated his abilities during the NBA Summer League with a memorable dunk over Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, the recent developments surrounding his social media posts have created uncertainty about his role with the Hornets in the immediate future. Despite his limited playing time last year, Jones showcased potential, averaging 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game in just 12 minutes of play. However, the Hornets' ESPN depth chart currently lists Mark Williams and Nick Richards as the top centers.

The Hornets are set to begin their preseason schedule against the Miami Heat on October 10, with their regular season commencing on October 25 against the Atlanta Hawks.