Bulls sign forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. to one-year deal

The Chicago Bulls have signed free agent forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. to a one-year contract, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. Lofton, 22, will compete for a roster spot during training camp. He has played in 45 games over two NBA seasons.

Free agent forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. may have signed a contract with the Chicago Bulls, with no guaranteed minimum salary

Charania’s report suggests it is a contract with a non-guaranteed minimum salary. In 45 NBA regular season games (one start), Lofton has averaged 4.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 8.3 minutes per game 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 out of Louisiana Tech in 2022 and signed a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. In 24 games (one start) with Memphis in his 2022-23 rookie season, he averaged career highs of 5.0 points and 2.1 rebounds while shooting a career best of 52.7% from the floor and 35.3% from 3-point range.

Free agent F/C Kenny Lofton Jr. signs a one-year contract with the Chicago Bulls, sources say @TheAthletic @Stadium. Lofton will compete for a roster spot in training camp. He has played 45 games in two NBA seasons. photo.twitter.com/2OXh9831ZI

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 16, 2024

In the final game of the regular season, which Memphis lost 115–100 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 9, 2023, he scored a personal-best 42 points as a starter on 17 of 25 (68%) shooting from the field and 8 of 12 (66.7%) from the free-throw line in 40 minutes.

Of the NBA players to debut since starts were first officially tracked in 1970-71, Lofton became the first to post a 40-point, 10-rebound game in his first career start. That may be one reason the Bulls signed him.

Chicago has signed 14 players to guaranteed standard contracts

However, the Grizzlies released him on Dec. 18, 2023, after he averaged 2.6 points, 1.0 rebounds and 6.6 minutes in 15 games off the bench last season. Though Lofton signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers five days later, he only played in two games for the Sixers.

His most impressive stint came with the Utah Jazz last March. In just four games, he averaged 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 22.8 minutes per game while shooting 60% from the floor, 33.3% from distance and 81.8% from the line.

Utah cut him last month before his 2024-25 salary became partially guaranteed. The Bulls could use Lofton’s playmaking skills to bolster their frontcourt.

Of the players to make their debuts since the first official record was recorded in 1970-71, Kenneth Lofton Jr. is the first to record a 40-point, 10-rebound game in his first career start. photo.twitter.com/UFbFP4lHk2

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 10, 2023

Additionally, the Bulls currently have 14 players on guaranteed standard contracts. Onuralp Bitim is on a non-guaranteed deal. If Lofton plays well enough in training camp, he could become the team’s 15th man.

Chicago also has a two-way spot available. However, Lofton would only be eligible to have his contract converted to a two-way deal if it included Exhibit 10 language.