On July 25, Beijing time, there was some turmoil in the NBA offseason. According to NBA Hall of Famer Scotto, the Jazz have cut Darius Beazley and Kenneth Lofton Jr. Scotto revealed that if Beazley and Lofton remain with the Jazz until July 25, they will each be eligible for a guaranteed salary of $400,000. However, the Jazz are not going to spend the $800,000 and instead choose to cut them.
Beazley is no stranger to a player who used to play for the Thunder, and now he's getting worse and worse. It is worth mentioning another player, Lofton. Last season, Lofton played in four games for the Jazz, averaging 13.8 points, 5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 22.8 minutes per game, showing his all-round skills and excellent game sense. Lofton, who is loved by fans as "Little Fat", has solid basket skills and once played a good individual performance.
Lofton started 40 minutes in a game on April 9, 2003, when he was still playing for the Grizzlies, scoring 42 points, 14 rebounds and 1 steal, setting a new NBA career single-game high in points and rebounds. He also became the first player in NBA history to score at least 40 points and 10 rebounds on his first start. As an undrafted player, it was not easy for Lofton Jr. to play such a performance.
In March of this year, in a game in the Development League, Lofton Jr. shone even more. He played 35 minutes, shooting 20-of-29 from the field, including 1-of-2 from three-point range and 6-of-9 from the free-throw line, to finish with 52 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal, with a plus/minus of +19. The 52 points in a single game is also a new career high for Lofton Jr. Although it is a game in the Development League, being able to play this kind of O'Neal-level game is enough to show his ability.
Lofton is better known for his performance at the 2021 Under-19 Basketball World Cup. That year, the United States defeated France 83-81 in the final, with Lofton scoring a team-high 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting, along with seven rebounds and two assists. Holmgren, who has attracted much attention, only got 10+5+2, and the limelight was completely stolen by Lofton. Lofton faced Wembanyama of France and forced the latter several times in a row, leaving Wembanyama deflated. At that time, Lofton was even called "Weinbank".
Lofton's offensive skills are not known, but because he is too heavy, he has huge shortcomings in lateral movement speed and defending the basket, which makes it difficult for him to adapt to today's small-ball era. It is precisely because of this that Lofton has not been able to gain a foothold in the NBA. Counting this time by the Jazz, Lofton has been cut three times in the past year or so. It's not easy for this young man to find a job in the NBA.
Some fans suggested that the Lakers could hurry up and take Lofton. The Lakers are well known to be short of centers. Lofton's defensive shortcomings can be made up for by Thick Eyebrows' strong ability to help defend and sweep. Besides, signing Lofton is just a lottery ticket, and it doesn't have to pay much price. I wonder if the Lakers, who have gained nothing on the free agency market this summer, will consider Lofton?