The Los Angeles Lakers have locked in their pick to fill the team’s final roster spot.
The Lakers are reportedly signing guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-year contract. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the deal includes a team option for the 2026-27 season.
The Los Angeles Lakers are signing guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-year deal, with a team option for the 2026-27 season, sources tell ESPN. Bufkin has starred for L.A.'s South Bay affiliate and now rejoins the Lakers in his third NBA season to fill their 15th roster spot. pic.twitter.com/Z1m3M4KvTM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2026
The Lakers liked Bufkin for reasons that go beyond just sharing the same name as the late Kobe Bryant.
Bufkin, a 2023 first-round pick for the Atlanta Hawks, tore up the G League this season playing for the South Bay Lakers. He led the G League in scoring during the regular season with averages of 27.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across 14 games. His shooting splits were immaculate: 52.2% from the field, 43.1% from three, and 89.1% from the free-throw line.
The Los Angeles Lakers last month called Bufkin up on a 10-day deal, but he didn’t give fans much to get excited about. Bufkin scored just 12 points over 4 games played with the senior squad.
With Bufkin now signed to a guaranteed NBA deal, the Lakers are hoping his game also stabilizes at the next level.
