The Chicago Bulls signed free agent Kenneth Lofton Jr. a one-year contract, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. Lofton, 22, will compete for a roster spot in training camp. He played 45 games in two NBA seasons.
Free agent Kenneth Lofton Jr. he is likely to sign a minimum wage non-guaranteed contract with the Chicago Bulls.
Charania's report suggests that it is a minimum wage contract that is not guaranteed. In 45 regular season NBA games (one start), Lofton averaged 4.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 8.3 minutes per contest while shooting 49.7% from the field. , 31.7% from beyond the arc, and 62.3% from the free throw line.
The 6-foot-6, 275-pound Lofton went undrafted in 2022 out of Louisiana Tech and signed a contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. In 24 games (one start) with Memphis in his 2022-23 rookie season, he averaged a career-high 5.0 points and 2.1 rebounds while shooting 52.7% from the floor and 35.3% from three-point range.
Free agent F/C Kenny Lofton Jr. is signing a one-year deal with the Chicago Bulls, sources said. @TheAthletic @The field. Lofton will compete for a roster spot in training camp. He played 45 games in two NBA seasons. pic.twitter.com/2OXh9831ZI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 16, 2024
In Memphis' 115–100 regular season finale loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 9, 2023, he recorded a career-high 42 points on 17-of-25 shooting (68%) from the field and 8-of- 12. (66.7%) on the foul line in 40 minutes as a starter.
Among NBA players to debut since official tracking began in 1970-71, Lofton became the first to post a 40-point, 10-point game in his career debut. That could be one of the reasons why the Bulls signed him.
Chicago has 14 players signed to standard guaranteed contracts
However, the Grizzlies waived him on December 18, 2023, after averaging 2.6 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 6.6 minutes in 15 games off the bench last season. Although Lofton went on to sign a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers five days later, he only appeared in two Sixers games.
His most impressive season was with the Utah Jazz this past March. In just four games, he averaged 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 22.8 minutes per contest while shooting 60% from the floor, 33.3% from deep, and 81.8% from the line.
Utah cut him last month before his 2024-25 salary was partially confirmed. The Bulls could use Lofton's playmaking skills to bolster their frontcourt.
Among the players to play since official tracking began in 1970-71, Kenneth Lofton Jr. is the first to post a 40-point, 10-rebound game in his career debut. pic.twitter.com/UFbFP4lHk2
– ESPN Stats and Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 10, 2023
In addition, the Bulls currently have 14 players signed to guaranteed contracts. Onuralp Bitim is in an unconfirmed deal. If Lofton plays well enough in training camp, he could be the team's 15th man.
Chicago also has two locations available. However, Lofton will only be eligible to have his contract converted to a two-way agreement if it includes the Exhibit 10 language.
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