How Can Kai Jones Help the Philadelphia 76ers?

On Friday, the Philadelphia 76ers announced the signing of Kai Jones to a ten day contract, who has been without a team since the beginning of the season after he was waived by the Charlotte Hornets.

Jones was selected by the Hornets with the 19th pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, a team in which he'd make 67 appearances for, averaging two points and two rebounds per game.

With the 23-year-old appearing in the Delaware Blue Coats match on Friday night, it would be expected that he'll be in the game-day squad that will take on the Hornets on Saturday night.

With his return to the court potentially imminent, how can Jones help the Sixers?

Depth

The 23-year-old joins the Sixers amidst an injury crisis that has seen them lose several key players including Joel Embiid, De'Anthony Melton, Robert Covington, and even Tyrese Maxey at times.

While he hasn't played in the NBA since the beginning of the season, Jones will be sure to provide a significant piece of positional depth at center, joining Paul Reed and Mo Bamba in the frontcourt.

Given that the Sixers previously waived former two-way player Kenny Lofton Jr, they've been left running on a short rotation under the basket.

Height

Perhaps the biggest thing that the 23-year-old brings to Philadelphia is his height, standing at 6'11 while having a 7'1" wingspan.

His height alone will make him the third-tallest member of the team, only trailing behind the aforementioned Embiid and Bamba, while measuring in at two inches taller than Reed.

While it blends more into a depth issue, recently Reed and Bamba have been accumulating quite a few fouls in the Sixers' most recent games, so having an additional height option certainly won't hinder Nick Nurse.

Philadelphia is set to take on Charlotte on Saturday night with tip-off slated for 7:00 p.m. EST.