In a surprising turn of events, former first-round draft selection Kobe Bufkin is set to make his return to the Los Angeles Lakers, according to sources close to the situation. This development, reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, indicates that Bufkin will be signing a two-year contract with the Lakers, which includes a team option for the 2026-27 season.
At just 22 years old, Bufkin has made quite an impression while playing for the South Bay Lakers, the NBA G League affiliate of the Lakers. His performance in the G League has earned him this opportunity to rejoin the Lakers during what marks his third season in the NBA, thereby securing a spot on their roster.
Earlier this January, Bufkin had a brief stint with the Lakers on a 10-day contract, where he managed to average 3.0 points and 1.3 rebounds over approximately 11 minutes per game across four appearances. Prior to that, he also signed a 10-day deal with the Memphis Grizzlies in November.
While with South Bay, Bufkin showcased his scoring abilities remarkably, averaging an impressive 24.7 points per game, shooting nearly 50% overall (with 43.1% from three-point range), along with contributing 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall, Bufkin was originally chosen as the 15th pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2023 NBA Draft. However, after a challenging start where he could only feature in 27 games over his initial two seasons, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in September for cash considerations but was subsequently waived by Brooklyn in October.
This signing has certainly generated buzz among basketball fans—will Bufkin finally find his footing in the NBA with the Lakers? What do you think about this move? Is it a calculated risk or a brilliant strategy by the Lakers? Let us know your thoughts!
