Lakers Sign Guard Kobe Bufkin to 10-Day Contract
lakers-sign-guard-kobe-bufkin-10-day-contract
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2026 — The Los Angeles Lakers have reached a 10-day agreement with guard Kobe Bufkin, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Bufkin, 22, has been a standout for the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, after being selected in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He also logged time with the Memphis Grizzlies earlier this season.
G League Production
Through seven games in the G League Tip-Off Classic, the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 24.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 43.1% from beyond the arc. His numbers have climbed in regular-season play, where he is posting 28.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.6 steals on 54% shooting from the field and 39% from three-point range.
Lakers’ Roster Needs
Los Angeles has struggled with perimeter scoring and depth amid injuries, including the recent loss of Austin Reaves. Head coach JJ Redick has repeatedly pointed to poor three-point shooting as a recurring issue, and Bufkin’s outside touch is expected to address that weakness.
Cap Implications
The Lakers sit roughly $1.1 million below the NBA’s first apron hard cap. Bufkin’s 10-day contract is projected to cost around $100,000, allowing the team to remain under the threshold. Should he impress during the short stint, Los Angeles would have room to extend him for the balance of the season.
If Bufkin debuts Tuesday, his first game in purple and gold will come against the Atlanta Hawks, the club that drafted him.
Source: Lakers Nation
