The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-year NBA deal after his standout run with their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, head coach JJ Redick confirmed.
Redick said the organization chose to promote Bufkin rather than pursue a veteran from the buyout market, emphasizing that mid-season additions rarely alter playoff trajectories.
“Very rarely does the buyout market produce a player that impacts a team’s playoff chances,” Redick told reporters. “You also have to be sure that player is healthy and ready to play. Kobe has certainly earned a spot in the NBA with the way he’s played for us in South Bay.”
The coach added that retaining Bufkin within the Lakers’ development system was another key consideration. “We feel really happy that we got him on a roster spot,” he said.
What Bufkin Brings
Redick credited South Bay head coach Zach Guthrie for pushing the former first-round pick to improve defensively. “He’s gotten better with his defensive activity and engagement,” Redick noted. “He’s got the positional size to be a plus defender, and his ability to shoot the ball consistently would provide great value on our team.”
Bufkin, who wore No. 18 for Los Angeles during a Jan. 17, 2026 game in Portland, averaged strong numbers in the G League and now has a chance to fight for minutes as the Lakers pursue a postseason berth. While playing time may be limited down the stretch, the organization views him as an intriguing long-term piece.
Trade-Deadline Notes
League sources said the Lakers actively shopped guard Dalton Knecht before the trade deadline. Knecht has fallen out of the rotation and could seek a fresh start during the offseason.
Source: Lakers Nation
