Kai Jones graduated from the University of Texas in 2021 and was selected 19th overall in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. He was later traded to another NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets, where he gained his first professional experience. Jones also played for the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets’ NBA G League affiliate. In March 2024, he signed a 10-day contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and subsequently joined their G League team, the Delaware Blue Coats. For the 2024-25 season, Jones signed with the Los Angeles Clippers and later moved to the Dallas Mavericks in March 2025, finishing the season there.

In 2021, Jones was named the Big 12 Conference Sixth Man of the Year.

Last season in the NBA, Kai Jones appeared in 28 games for the Clippers, averaging 7:09 minutes per game with 2.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.4 assists. With the Mavericks, he played 12 games, averaging 22:20 minutes with 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.