DECEMBER 18: The Grizzlies have officially waived Lofton, the team confirmed in a press release on Monday night. The move opens up a spot to formally activate Morant.
DECEMBER 17: The Grizzlies plan to release Kenneth Lofton Jr., reports Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.
As Cole explains, the Grizzlies need to create a roster spot with Ja Morant nearing a return from his 25-game suspension; that’s expected to occur Tuesday vs. New Orleans. Lofton won’t be traveling on the team’s two-game road trip, which starts Monday in Oklahoma City.
Two different reports from the past week indicated that Lofton was the most likely player to be cut. When Morant was placed on the suspended list following the fifth game of the season, the Grizzlies signed Bismack Biyombo, and they’ll reportedly be keeping him around for now.
Lofton, a second-year forward/center, was promoted from a two-way deal to a standard contract near the end of the 2022/23 season.
The 21-year-old had an opportunity to earn minutes in the frontcourt this season, with Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke sidelined with long-term injuries, plus Xavier Tillman missing extended time. But he was unable to establish himself as a consistent contributor this fall, averaging just 2.6 points per game on 37.8% shooting in 15 appearances (6.6 MPG).
A source tells Cole that Lofton met with head coach Taylor Jenkins earlier in ’23/24 to gain a better understanding of why he wasn’t playing, but Jenkins reportedly told him there weren’t many minutes available.
Lofton has two years left on his contract after this season, but both are non-guaranteed. That means if he clears waivers, the Grizzlies will only be on the hook for his ’23/24 salary, which is $1,719,864.
According to Cole, Lofton is expected to draw interest from rival teams due to his ability to score. He averaged a double-double for the Memphis Hustle (the Grizzlies’ G League affiliate) last season, winning the NBAGL’s Rookie of the Year award in the process.
Hey this guy has some potential , someone will pick him up
They were excited about him over the summer. Now, you hear Memphis say things like “conditioning”.
I just googled him and was reading up on him
He is a little heavy, maybe not as fast as one would like, but to release him outright
Is a bit stunning … he can play…Sixers should take a good look at him
Round Mound of Rebound Part Duex
And he shoots left handed
Maybe he is another Jahlil Okafor
Maybe that is the issue
I would roll the dice on him
Sacramento is another potential. Chance Comanche got arrested for kidnapping (could become murder) and released, so they do have a G-League opening.
Bulls have drafted a total of 1 player in the past two years. Should also look.
The guy score 20+ points in the two games after his Vegas kidnapping situation…
Brings new meaning to being able to “lock in”.
These young guys are different.
Gives me Zion vibes. And not always in a good way. He has a lot of rim-smashing power and can grab boards even against taller guys just by outmuscling them, but his offensive game is kind of limited and his defense is questionable a lot of the time (more against guards and wings, he handles bigs okay). If his conditioning is also concerning, he’s a literal Zion-lite.
He’d be an interesting fit for the Bulls. Certainly better than forcing P-Will at the 4.
Coby White is gonna get paid, and he just might get P-Will paid. They waited on Coby White, and now see a chance of him becoming what they thought he was. Didn’t wait on Lauri Markkanen, and he became an All-Star. Ayo got paid, and they are happy with him. P-Will only needs to show flashes now, and Bulls will overpay in some way.
Bulls got to get some developmental youth in the organization some type of way. Lofton is a start.
White was extended (3 years) this past off season. Those numbers (around MLE) is what he’ll get paid.
It is still a crazy world we live in, with what P-Will has shown, that his skills are worth MLE money on the marketplace.
A LITTLE heavy??
The Titans?
Wemby stopper, never forget that. Grizzlies will regret this.
K Lo is legit
And grizz are not making playoffs
So why cut him for …….Biz???!
Weird choices from
grizzlies org
Well this Kenny Lofton news really came out of Center field
Ah ha
I knew I had tbe Lofton name.floating around
I was stuck on James Lofton though
That’s a gold glove-worthy comment right there. I applaud you sir for your speedy comment.
Lofton’s issue isn’t his weight. It’s his athletic profile (measurables). The former can be changed, the latter can’t. It’s no different than when a guard profiles too far below the bottom of the size range (e.g., Jared Harper). There used to be far more guards in this category. Now there are more bigs.
I still think he is an interesting project, prospect
Lofton is still young enough (21) to be called a prospect, and he’s ahead of most bigs his age skill-wise for sure. The issue is how much better can he get and how will that stack up against the other bigs in his age group (the alternatives) as he and they further develop. Unfortunately, there is a strong historical correlation between below par measurables and a flatter development curve. In competing for a finite number of development opportunities, he’ll have fight though that, both the perception and the reality. If he makes it, he’ll be popular with the fans (about the only upside to below par measurables).
For the love of all that is good and sacred (said like Chris Farley)…Dubs get rid of Jerome Robinson on the two way contract and get KLJ! It shouldn’t even be a second thought, Mike!
Lol as a Grizzlies fan this is on the top of the lost of dumbest sh*t we could do, and the crazy thing is the GM standing firm on players like Biz and gilyard who both can easily be waived
My first three teams i thought of to claim him were cleveland, okc and san antonio
Bulls! Grab this guy! So you can play p will at sf!
Grizzlies management has been a disaster since this time two years ago. No clue