Former first-round selection Kobe Bufkin returning to the Lakers, according to sources.
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers are bringing on former No. 15 overall selection Kobe Bufkin with a two-year contract, which includes a team option for the 2026-27 season, sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania on Saturday.
Bufkin has excelled with Los Angeles’ South Bay G League affiliate and now returns to the Lakers in his third NBA season to occupy their 15th roster position.
At 22 years old, Bufkin previously signed a 10-day contract with the Lakers in January, where he averaged 3.0 points and 1.3 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game over four appearances. He also had a stint with the Memphis Grizzlies on a 10-day contract in November.
He was a key player for South Bay, posting averages of 24.7 points on 49.6% shooting overall (43.1% from beyond the arc), along with 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.
Bufkin, a 6-4 guard, was selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the No. 15 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
After participating in only 27 games during his initial two seasons with the Hawks, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets for cash considerations in September and subsequently waived by Brooklyn in October.
