SAD DEPARTURE: Utah Jazz agree to deal with wide receiver, potentially bringing an end to the Lauri Markkanen era.
SALT LAKE CITY — Two young forwards are being targeted by the Utah Jazz.
On Monday, the Jazz revealed that Kenneth Lofton Jr. had signed a non-guaranteed contract. KSL.com has reported that the organization intends to sign Darius Bazley, a previous first-round pick, to a comparable contract.
This season, Bazley, 23, averaged 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in the G League. He was selected with the 19th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-8 forward played 3.5 seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder after being selected in the draft. Despite being moved to Phoenix at the trade deadline the previous season, he only played in seven games for the Suns. He committed to a 10-day deal with the Philadelphia 76ers last month.
Bazley is a 31% 3-point shooter while having good defensive length. His best position has been as a small-ball five, and in the G League, he had a few high block numbers. He is also a competent driver and face-up player. He’s still youthful, even if this is his fifth year.
Regarding Lofton, the Memphis Grizzlies waived the 21-year-old forward who was not selected in the draft in December. Shortly after, he agreed to a two-way contract with the 76ers, but Philadelphia dismissed him earlier this month.
In 17 games thus far this season, Lofton—who won the G League Rookie of the Year award the previous year—is averaging 2.4 points and 1.1 rebounds.
With the intention of finding a full-time player, the Jazz are able to give two young forwards a closer look thanks to these transfers. Utah accomplished a similar feat with Kris Dunn and Luca Samanic towards the end of the previous campaign.
Otto Porter Jr. was waived by the Jazz on Monday to create space for the deals. Since being acquired from Toronto in the Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji trade, the seasoned forward has not appeared on the field. In order to make room for the upcoming Bazley trade, Utah is expected to waive Taevion Kinsey, who the team signed to a 10-day contract on Saturday.
