TITLE: Lakers Secure Kobe Bufkin on Two-Year Deal; Guard Thanks Rob Pelinka for Confidence
SLUG: lakers-secure-kobe-bufkin-on-two-year-deal
CONTENT:
The Los Angeles Lakers have filled their lone post-deadline roster vacancy by signing guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-year contract that includes a team option, the club confirmed after last week’s trade deadline.
General manager Rob Pelinka opted to promote Bufkin rather than pursue expected buyout candidates such as Cam Thomas or Haywood Highsmith. The decision follows Bufkin’s standout stretch with the South Bay Lakers, where he averaged 27.7 points, 4.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks this season.
Bufkin, a first-round pick of the Atlanta Hawks in 2024, joined Los Angeles on a 10-day contract after being traded during the offseason and subsequently waived by the Brooklyn Nets. His new deal keeps him with the Lakers for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign and gives the team control for 2026-27.
The 22-year-old made his first NBA start Tuesday night against the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena, a game the Lakers won 110-102. “It means a lot,” Bufkin said afterward. “Me and Rob have history, obviously him being a Michigan guy. The support has always been there, so for him to pull the trigger on me was real special.”
Bufkin credited his G League stint for smoothing the transition. “The system is very similar, so just being able to be in the system has helped me a lot,” he explained.
Asked what he must do to secure minutes under head coach JJ Redick, Bufkin pointed to defense and spot-up shooting. “Just continuing to be a defensive presence and being able to knock shots down when they come my way,” he said.
Redick has a track record of rewarding G League performance; last season he inserted guard Jordan Goodwin into the regular rotation after a similar call-up from South Bay.
Tuesday also marked the return of rookie Adou Thiero, who reported feeling “back to normal” after missing time with a sprained MCL.
Source: Lakers Nation
