The Chicago Bulls bolstered their roster depth on Friday by signing forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. to a one-year deal, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The deal is non-guaranteed, meaning Lofton Jr. will need to earn his spot during training camp.
Per sources, free agent forward/center Kenny Lofton Jr. has agreed to a one-year contract with the Bulls and will compete for a roster spot during training camp. Lofton has appeared in 45 NBA games over the past two seasons.
At 22 years old, Lofton Jr. brings potential for development to the Bulls. In his last two seasons, he has averaged 4.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. The Louisiana Tech alum began his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies before splitting time last season between Memphis, Philadelphia, and Utah.
In his four games with Utah, Lofton Jr. saw increased playing time, resulting in improved averages of 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Although the sample size is small, it demonstrates his potential as those numbers came after working his way up from the Jazz‘s bench and G League team. If Lofton Jr. continues to show progress, he could secure a role in the Bulls‘ rotation at a bargain.
Lofton Jr. is known for his physical play in the low post, paired with a soft finishing touch around the rim. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 275 pounds, he has the strength but lacks the typical height of NBA big men. While still a work in progress, he possesses the offensive skills to match the physicality of the league. If he can consistently rebound and score, the Bulls may integrate him into their rotation for the 2024-25 season.
