Jazz Officially Waive Kenneth Lofton Jr., Darius Bazley

The Utah Jazz have officially waived big men Kenneth Lofton Jr. and Darius Bazley, per the RealGM transactions log.

Both players are candidates to re-sign with the team, given that they were waived ahead of guarantee dates on their contracts. Each was guaranteed $600,000 if he had remained on the team on opening night.

Lofton, 21, signed with the Jazz on March 11 and saw action in four games, averaging 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists. He signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in late December after being waived by the Memphis Grizzlies. He appeared in two games with the Sixers before being waived on March 1.

Overall he has appeared in 17 games last season, his second in the NBA, averaging 2.4 points and 1.1 rebounds. He played in 24 games as a rookie, averaging 5.0 points and 2.1 boards. 

Bazley, 24, signed with Utah on March 12 and appeared in six games, averaging 8.0 points and 4.5 rebounds. He signed a 10-day deal with the Sixers in February, and is entering his sixth NBA season.

Rather than play college basketball or join the G League, Bazley opted to work out on his own following his high school career, then enter the NBA Draft when eligible. He actually was selected by the Jazz with the No. 23 overall pick in 2019, then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder a week later.

Bazley was traded to the Brooklyn Nets last summer and then waived before camp. Since then, he’s been playing extremely well for the Delaware Blue Coats of the G League.