The South Bay Lakers intend to bring in guard Kobe Bufkin from the NBA G League player pool, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
McMenamin reported on November 13, 2025, that South Bay will acquire the former No. 15 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Bufkin, now 22, entered the draft after one season at the University of Michigan and was selected by the Atlanta Hawks.
Bufkin spent two seasons with Atlanta before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets during the 2025 offseason in a salary-clearing move. Brooklyn later waived him to create roster space for its five 2025 first-round selections, sending the 6-foot-4 guard into the league’s G League pool.
The Los Angeles Lakers held the 17th pick in the 2023 draft—two spots after Bufkin was chosen—and used it on Indiana guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, who is no longer with the organization. Bufkin’s arrival now gives the franchise another young backcourt option.
South Bay already features recent pickups Nick Smith Jr., Christian Koloko and Drew Timme, along with Chris Mañon, Kylor Kelley and occasional appearances by Bronny James. Bufkin is expected to join that group immediately.
The Lakers’ NBA roster is currently on a five-game road trip, while LeBron James continues rehabilitation from right-side sciatica by practicing with South Bay. Team officials have indicated the 40-year-old star looked strong in his first full workout of the season.
Bufkin will report to South Bay once the league finalizes the transaction.
Source: Lakers Nation
