Mavericks' former high flyer without a job clearly deserves to be signed

There is absolutely zero doubt in fans' eyes that last year for the Dallas Mavericks was a season that nobody would wish on their worst enemy. From trading a franchise superstar and beloved fan favorite in Luka Doncic, to the countless number of injuries that even had the Mavs questioning if they needed to forfeit games at one point, last season was truly a nightmare for the Mavs.

While most of the storylines emerging from the 2024-25 season for the Mavericks were negative, there were a handful that gave fans hope. The emergence of Naji Marshall and Brandon Williams was a great story that would get swept under the rug; however, one player who quickly emerged as a fan favorite likely won't be on the team next season.

Kai Jones was a mid-season acquisition for the Mavericks after injuries depleted their roster so much that the team had to rely on two-way signees and 10-day contracts to hold the center spot down. While most players would quickly fade out of the rotation and eventually find themselves without a roster spot on the team, Jones proved to be a real difference maker, despite bouncing around the league for various reasons.

Kai Jones has proven he belongs in the NBA — Just maybe not in Dallas

In 12 games with the Mavericks, Jones averaged an impressive 11.4 points per game while also snagging 6.5 rebounds per outing. Jones also impressed many fans and coaches with his ability to score at an elite rate in the paint and even averaged what would have been a team-high 83.6 percent from the field.

Jones not only proved he deserved another shot at playing in Dallas as the team's potential third-string center, but he also announced to the league that he was worth the first-round selection back in 2021.

While fans are begging Nico Harrison and the front office to clear roster space and sign Jones to come off the bench and be a real difference maker, the reality of the situation is, Jones may not play another game in a Mavericks uniform, despite a breakout 12 games in his time with Dallas.

Although the Mavericks and Jones may not be a realistic option, Jones has proven he deserves to be a rotational center for another team in the league. Whether it's a young team looking to take a chance on a flyer or a veteran squad needing depth at the five spot, Jones has proven he can change a team's culture for the better.

There's no doubt that he gained the love of fans in Dallas, but the reality of the Mavericks' current roster situation means they would need to get rid of too many names just for an opportunity to re-sign Jones.

In his 12 games, there is reason to believe that he proved he could be a young center to help aid Cooper Flagg throughout his first few seasons in the league, but if Dallas can't find a way to sign Jones this summer, it could go down as an all-time miss in the eyes of every fan.

Jones's high-flying dunks and unlimited energy would pack a punch off the bench in Dallas, but given the situation, he deserves to play for a team that will be willing to give him real playing time.