Bazley’s signing wasn’t official until yesterday afternoon.
Like Lofton, Bazley spent most of the season in the G-League. The 23-year-old, a first-round pick of the Jazz in 2018, has seen 10 minutes of action in three appearances for the 76ers this season.
The Jazz are Bazley’s seventh team. Bazley has appeared in 221 career games, including 118 starts, averaging 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds in 23.3 minutes while shooting .410/.323.673.
Bazley has shown his ability to score during his career, averaging double figures for the season on two occasions. The athletic 6-8, 208-pound forward/center typically attempts shots within 10 feet of the hoop or 3-point line.
Bazley is a very inefficient scorer and a good passer. However, he is a solid defensive rebounder, a solid rim protector, and an overall good defender.
What role will Lofton and Bazley fill?
Utah is headed into the draft lottery as it is 28-37 this season and six and a half games out of 10th place in the Western Conference. As a result, Lofton and Bazley will likely see minutes later as the Jazz attempt to evaluate players. Lauri Markkanen suffers from quadriceps injury and toe ailment hampers Taylor Hendricks.
Lofton did not play in Utah’s loss to Boston last night and Bazley was unavailable. However, both players should be in the mix, with Luka Samanic being the second big player to come off the bench while Markkanen and Hendricks are out.
Although the signings of Lofton and Bazley last for the remainder of the year, their true value is over the next two years. Although they have non-guaranteed deals, they are insurance for the Jazz in case they don’t find anyone more desirable.
Utah has 11 players under contract for next season with a payroll of approximately $98.5 million. So the Jazz have a lot of money. However, the Jazz are likely to extend or trade Markkanen, as only $6 million of his $18 million is guaranteed for next season.
Omer YurtsevenThe $2.6 million is also not guaranteed. Talen Horton-Tucker, Samanic and Kira Lewis Jr. (restricted) are free agents. No member of the trio is likely to return.
Utah may not have a first-round pick, as it will be dealt to Oklahoma City if the Jazz fall into the top 10 in the lottery. The Jazz do not have a second-round selection.
