The Chicago Bulls filled out their roster depth Friday by signing forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. to a one-year deal, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. Lofton Jr.'s pact isn't guaranteed as he'll have to earn his spot in training camp.
At 22 years old, Lofton Jr. brings development potential to the Bulls. Over the past two seasons, he's averaged 4.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in 45 NBA contests. The Louisiana Tech product spent his rookie year with the Memphis Grizzles and split time between Memphis, Philadelphia, and Utah last season.
In his four appearances with Utah, Lofton Jr. saw a jump in minutes resulting in his averages increasing to 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. While it's a small sample size, it shows growth potential as he achieved those numbers after spending significant time on the Jazz's bench and G League team to earn his opportunity. If Lofton Jr.'s game is finally clicking, he could become a rotational player for the Bulls at a discount.
Lofton Jr. excels on the low block and isn't afraid to get physical at the rim. At the same time, he can finish with a soft touch. Measuring in at 6-foot-7 and 275 pounds, he has the bulk but not the height compared to notable NBA big men. Lofton Jr. is a work in progress but possesses the offensive skill set to keep up with the physicality of NBA play. If he displays consistency on the glass and with his scoring ability, the Bulls could include him in their rotation during the 2024-25 season.
