Morant returned to the court after the ban was lifted, and Loft Jr. became a victim
On December 18, Beijing time, the Grizzlies ushered in a major layoff decision, and in order to welcome the star Morant, who is about to return from the ban, the team urgently decided to lay off Lofton Jr. Morant is just one game away from his release, and he will be back on the Grizzlies roster after Tuesday, according to people familiar with the matter, forcing the team with 16 official contracts to make emergency roster changes.
The layoffs are targeted by Lofton Jr., whose fully guaranteed contract will add up to $1.7 million in dead money to the Grizzlies. During Morant's suspension, the Grizzlies signed Biyombo to fill the void, and Biyombo has become an integral part of the team and even started multiple games.
Lofton Jr. was once the best rookie in the G League, but his performance in the NBA has been limited in two seasons, and he has rarely played this season, averaging only 2.6 points and one rebound per game. Despite weighing in at over 136 kilograms, making him the heaviest player in the league this season, he broke out in a game last April, setting a new personal record with 42 points and 14 rebounds in 40 minutes. Such a performance has also attracted some attention in the adjustment of the team.
The decision to make a big cut shocked fans, and they are also looking forward to the Grizzlies being able to show more strength on the court after Morant's return. This may be the beginning of a new chapter, leaving a lot of expectations and speculation. One can't help but wonder how the future of the team will develop and whether the new squad changes can bring more surprises. Stay tuned!【Grizzly Bear Update】