The Mavericks intend to waive center Kylor Kelley and sign big man Kai Jones to a two-way contract, as reported by Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Jones was released by the Clippers in a flurry of related moves on Saturday. Since he was waived on or before March 1, Jones indeed will be eligible for Dallas’ playoff roster.
Kelley, 27, is 7-foot-0 and made his NBA debut as a well-traveled veteran. He signed a two-way deal with the Mavericks on Jan. 26 and has appeared in eight games, averaging 3.0 points and 2.6 rebounds.
Jones, 24, saw limited playing time in 28 games with the Clippers this season, averaging 2.2 points and 1.6 boards in 7.4 minutes per game.
After receiving consistent minutes earlier in the season, he played sparingly in February and has not logged more than three minutes in a game since January 15.
At 6-11, Jones provides a sizable option for a Mavericks team struggling to maintain depth in the frontcourt due to injuries.
Dallas’ top three centers — Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively — are all sidelined. Davis is scheduled to be reevaluated on March 6 after suffering an adductor strain in his Mavericks debut, while Gafford is dealing with a grade 3 MCL sprain and Lively is recovering from a fractured ankle. Both are expected to remain out for an extended period.
Moses Brown has started the past two games at center for Dallas, but his 10-day contract will expire tonight, and he will become a free agent. Hard cap restrictions prevent the Mavs from re-signing Brown until April 10.