Lofton has offer to play on Celtics summer league team

Chris Lofton said he’s ready to play for the Boston Celtics — at least, this summer.

“Boston got in contact with my agent when I was playing Turkey and said it was interested,’’ Lofton said. “I’m definitely planning on going to the (NBA) summer league with Boston.’’

The NBA Summer League takes place July 10-19 in Las Vegas.

The 6-foot-2 Lofton signed as a free agent with Denver after finishing his career with the Vols as the SEC’s all-time leading 3-point shooter and played for the Nuggets in the NBA Summer League before getting cut.

Lofton worked out in front of NBA teams at the Memphis Grizzlies facilities this past weekend along with 30 or so other players.

“All we did was play games and scrimmage a lot,’’ said Lofton, who was the third-leading scoring in the Turkish League and set a record with 61 points in one game. “I shot pretty good, but I also missed some shots I should have made.

“I could have played better.”

Lofton said there were a number of players who played in Europe and in the NBA Developmental League (NBDL) also at the workout.

Former UT teammate JaJuan Smith was Lofton’s roommate at the workouts in Memphis.

“JaJuan is doing good,’’ Lofton said. “I believe he has a workout with the Dallas Mavericks this weekend.’’

Smith made it to the final cut with Dallas last fall, but he did not play professionally in Europe nor in the NBDL last winter.

Lofton said he will continue to workout at UT with hopes of getting more opportunities, and he might play in the Pilot Rocky Top League at Bearden High School on Monday.

“Coach (Rick) Campbell called me today,’’ said Lofton, who would be assigned to Campbell’s 0-2 ChoiceSpine team. “We’ll see about it.’’

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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