Apparently, Dilin Jones didn't actually enter into the portal until yesterday, some time around when they signed Palmer. Jones' agent told UW back on 12/23 he was going to enter the portal, and proceeded to shop around but not actually enter the portal.
Meanwhile, UW needed bodies and filled the position. Jones told UW he was willing to come back, but UW had either already spent his $$ or offered very little because the position was already filled.
Grass isn't always greener on the other side.