It’s official. The “Free Junior” saga has ended. And not in the way many of us had hoped, or even thought. All in all—I’d think we all can agree. It’s one bummer of an ending.
The Memphis Grizzlies are planning to waive Kenneth Lofton Jr. The move will likely become official after tomorrow’s game against the Thunder or on Tuesday, when Ja Morant is officially reinstated after his 25-game suspension.
The likely reason for parting ways with Lofton Jr.? To make an official roster spot available for Bismack Biyombo for the rest of the season, as Biyombo’s spot on the roster had been temporary, due to an exception allowed as a result of Morant’s suspension. That exception spot expires once Morant is reinstated. Though the likely the next step to fill the spot created by waiving Lofton Jr., this move is not official as of yet.
On the season Junior has seen his production drop from last year. Last season’s weren’t something to write home about but he remained an x-factor in Memphis…
5.0 PTS, 2.1 TRB, 0.8 AST, 0.2 STL, and 0.1 BLK per game on 52.7/35.5/59.3% splits last year.
This season?
2.6 PTS, 1.0 TRB, 0.9 AST, 0.2 STL, and 0.2 BLK per game on 37.8/30.0/53.3% splits.
While Lofton’s time in Memphis appears to be coming to a close, he certainly seems to be a talent that could generate interest from other teams around the league. As a reserve post player who has shown some offensive upside, he could be an option for teams with open roster spots to fill.
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