AUGUST 17: Lofton’s deal with the Bulls is official, according to RealGM’s transaction log. It’s an Exhibit 10 contract, Hoops Rumors has confirmed.
AUGUST 16: Free agent forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. has agreed to a one-year contract with the Bulls, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
While Charania doesn’t provide any other details on the deal, he says Lofton will have the opportunity in training camp to compete for a spot on Chicago’s regular season roster. That suggests it’ll be a non-guaranteed minimum-salary contract.
Lofton, who turned 22 on Wednesday, began his professional career with the Grizzlies in 2022 after going undrafted out of Louisiana Tech. The bulky 6’6″ forward spent most of his rookie year on a two-way contract with Memphis, appearing in 24 NBA games.
After being converted to a standard contract in April 2023, Lofton began the 2023/24 season on the Grizzlies’ 15-man roster, but was waived in December when Ja Morant was activated from the suspended list. He spent a couple months on a two-way deal with Philadelphia, then was waived again in March and signed a rest-of-season contract with the Jazz, who cut him last month before his ’24/25 salary became partially guaranteed.
Although Lofton didn’t play much at the NBA level in ’23/24, he finished the year strong in Utah, averaging 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 22.8 minutes per game across four April outings for the Jazz. He also had a big year in the G League, earning All-NBAGL First Team honors after putting up 25.1 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 1.6 BPG in 19 regular season games (30.1 MPG) for the Delaware Blue Coats and the Salt Lake City Stars.
The Bulls currently have 14 players on guaranteed standard contracts, with Onuralp Bitim on a non-guaranteed deal, so if Lofton impresses in camp, he could become the team’s 15th man. Chicago also has a two-way spot available, though Lofton would only be eligible to have his contract converted to a two-way deal if it includes Exhibit 10 language.
He was a stud when he played for the Indians.
But Mookie Blaylock really exposed him & Steve Kerr in the Final Four tho… link to m.youtube.com
He looked much trimmer and more toned during this past Summer League. Teams keep giving him a spot so we know he is not lacking in skills, so hopefully his hard work will continue to pay off.
Hmmm another undersized pf. I don’t hate it but what we really need is height and rebounding at the 5 so we can move PWill to the 3 spot.
@Chicago TimberSpurs I don’t think being over 300 pounds is undersized. The reason why he is so big is because of his unhealthy culture. All they eat are McDonalds, Popeyes, etc. You’d think a grown athlete would actually care about the food that he puts into his body. With the amount of activity that he does, he must be eating 7000 calories a day worth of Ice cream, KFC, Big Macs, candy, and pizza
I get these guys are professional athletes, but he’s 22. I ate like s**t at 22. Hopefully he starts taking things more seriously and gets himself into better shape. It took time for Luka to take things more seriously too. Obviously he’s not on Luka’s level so he needs to start taking things more seriously quick or he’ll find himself out of the league completely.
When did Luka start to take things more seriously? He was at his best shape during his rookie season and has never been close to that again
He’s a Profesional athlete though. He should know how to eat right, if he wants to last at least 10 years or more.
I’m talking height obviously.
“undersized” LMAO!!
Yes.
He’s NOT related to the former MLB All-Star Kenny Lofton…. weirdly lol
Hopefully it works out. Zbo was chubby and was a bucket…
Randolph was 3 inches taller. I love Randolph
Lofton has looked outclassed every time i’ve seen him play, i truely dont understand how he keeps getting chances, the guy can barely move.
Because this is the weakest era ever. No other time in the history would Lofton play a minute in the NBA
Lofton gets chances because he has skills and he does flash them on occasion and he is just 22 years old. He doesn’t make much money so it’s easy for teams to justify giving him the opportunity to prove himself worthy of a roster spot.
If the Bulls can coach Lofton up…he might become a true NBA caliber player
yeh cuz they got such great player development
Not going to lie he’s probably the second best PF on their roster after Buzelis, I consider Pat Will a 3 and Jalen a 5.
Don’t know if it’s more concerning, how bad the bulls roster is or now many people underrate this kid’s ability.
Basically 14-5-5, 60% FG% and over 80% FT% and only 21/22 years old.
He dropped a 42 bomb last season with 14 rebounds, for reference Marc Gasol’s career high is 42.
I’m not saying he’s as good as Gasol or he’s the perfect player but the potential to be great is undeniable. Often criticised for his weight he went into summer league looking a lot lighter, one publication says he lost 20-30 lbs in just one month after the Grizzlies cut him last season.
So from a commitment level he’s willing to do what it takes to improve and earn minutes.
Being an undersized 4 it’s going to be tough but this kid is has the talent.