Ex-Grizzlies big joins forces with superstar center on major east contender

With the recent return of superstar guard Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies were forced to make a rather difficult decision to cut ties with sophomore big Kenneth Lofton Jr. to trim their roster size down to 15.

Considering his sound offensive game coupled with his enviable age of 21, the belief was that it wouldn't take all that long for another team to pursue his services once clearing waivers and, during the mid-afternoon of Saturday, December 23, this expectation ultimately came to fruition as ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the power forward had been snatched up by the Philadelphia 76ers to team up with superstar Joel Embiid in the frontcourt.

Ex-Grizzlies big Kenneth Lofton Jr. inks deal with Philadelphia 76ers

Per the report, Lofton and the Sixers agreed to terms on a two-way deal, which will allow the second-year pro to play up to 50 games with the varsity team while also having the capability of honing his craft in the G-League with their affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.

Despite receiving rather inconsistent playing time throughout his year and change stint with the Grizzlies, when receiving ample run on the hardwood he displayed a brand of scoring range and athleticism that tend to stand out tremendously when coming from a 6-foot-7, 276 pound undrafted tweener big.

He would even go on to drop a career performance during last year's regular-season finale where he posted a whopping 42 points on 68 percent shooting from the field to go along with 14 rebounds and a steal.

Lofton heads to Philadelphia with averages of 4.1 points and 1.7 rebounds on 48.5 percent shooting from the floor