Perhaps no one could have anticipated that the Shanghai men's basketball team, which only managed to secure one victory in the first stage, would embark on a "Northern Expedition" in the second stage. After their recent home victory against Beikong, they have now achieved an impressive ten consecutive wins. This remarkable turnaround has not only improved their record but also revitalized the local basketball market. The success can be attributed not only to the appointment of Lu Wei but also to the significant impact of Lofton's addition to the team.
After parting ways with Waters in the first stage, Shanghai had initially secured Lofton and Graham, two former NBA players, as their foreign signings. However, Graham's failure to honor his commitment forced Shanghai to re-sign their familiar face, Blood. Lofton, who was a formidable force in the NBA G League, quickly adapted to the CBA's style of play. He is not only adept at scoring and rebounding but also excels at using his passing skills to orchestrate the team's offense, a truly valuable asset.
To date, Lofton averages an impressive 22.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, earning him the nickname "CBA Jokic." At just 22 years old, if Lofton does not wish to return to the NBA in the short term, Shanghai is undoubtedly keen to sign him to a long-term contract.
However, considering that next year's CBA league will be postponed to accommodate the National Games, with the season not starting until December, it is challenging to ensure that Lofton will not be scouted by other European teams during the two-month gap before most leagues commence in early October. For Lofton, returning to the NBA remains his ultimate goal. If he cannot immediately secure a rotational spot in the NBA, overseas leagues will likely remain his preferred option. Despite Shanghai's financial prowess and willingness to spend lavishly, they are powerless to prevent other leagues from extending offers to Lofton before the start of the CBA season.
After making a name for himself in the CBA, Lofton is expected to attract interest from wealthy European league clubs, particularly those in the EuroLeague. Compared to the CBA, European leagues, especially the EuroLeague, offer higher salaries and a more competitive level of play. If Lofton aims to return to the NBA, playing in Europe presents a greater advantage (higher pay and better prospects for an NBA comeback), making it plausible that he could be successfully poached by another team.
This issue is not exclusive to Shanghai; due to the postponement of the next CBA season, many high-quality foreign players may not be willing to wait for such an extended period. Of course, unless there are "suckers" willing to sign foreign players before the league begins and allow them to receive two months' salary without playing.
Therefore, if Shanghai wants to prevent Lofton from being poached by other leagues, they might have to resort to this unconventional strategy by allowing Lofton to receive two months' salary upfront. Given Lofton's undeniable talent, it is not inconceivable that Shanghai would consider such a move, as they are indeed one of the wealthiest teams in the league.