Kobe Bufkin
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Lakers' Kobe Bufkin during his time with the Atlanta Hawks in November 2024
For much of the season, Kobe Bufkin’s G League production has caught attention, prompting growing belief that the Los Angeles Lakers may have uncovered another under-the-radar gem within their system.
The South Bay Lakers guard has filled box scores and consistently looked like one of the most complete prospects in the developmental pipeline. Yet as his profile continues to rise, Bufkin has been increasingly clear-eyed about what will actually earn him a permanent place in the NBA.
Rather than leaning on scoring totals or highlight plays, the 22-year-old has framed his path forward around impact. Defense, effort, and attention to detail have become central to his approach as he pushes towards another NBA opportunity.
That mindset reflects a broader league reality. While G League scoring can draw attention, NBA teams tend to reward players who can defend, compete, and fit seamlessly into winning environments without needing the ball.
Lakers Prospect Pairing Production With Defensive Impact
Through three regular-season games, Bufkin is averaging a league-best 31.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 56.9% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range.
That production is not isolated. Across 12 total appearances this season, he is averaging 26.1 points, the sixth-highest mark league-wide, along with 4.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and just under one block per game, while maintaining elite efficiency from beyond the arc.
The offensive bursts have been frequent. Bufkin closed out 2025 with a 41-point performance against the Oklahoma City Blue, his second 40-point outing of the season.
Most recently, he delivered another statement showing on Tuesday night, finishing with 27 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, four steals, and two blocks in a 113-101 win over the Memphis Hustle.
While the scoring draws headlines, his defensive impact has quietly surged. Bufkin has recorded seven blocks over his last three games and consistently generated deflections and timely stops.
On Jan. 3, also against Memphis, he made the defining play of the night late in overtime, recording a key block, securing the loose ball, and converting an and-one in transition to seal a narrow victory for South Bay.
Bufkin understands that it’s this side of his game that may ultimately open the NBA door, whether in Los Angeles or elsewhere.
Defense, Details, and a Narrow Window
Teams evaluating G League prospects often look beyond raw scoring, prioritizing versatility, defensive effort, and adaptability. Bufkin has checked those boxes this season, pairing his offensive production with consistent hustle and reliable two-way impact.
With offensive production already concentrated among high-paid stars, front offices value plug-and-play contributors who can impact games without dominating the ball and are willing to do the dirty work in limited minutes.
“I’m still a young guy, I got to make an impact somehow, got to stand out somehow, and that’s one of the ways,” Bufkin said on his defense earlier this season, via ClutchPoints. “Everybody knows that if you’re young, you got to stand out in that category. That’s just something I try to do every time I step on the court.”
Drafted 15th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2023 NBA Draft, Bufkin’s early NBA path stalled due to injuries and inconsistent roles. The G League has since provided a clean runway to rebuild confidence and rhythm, an opportunity he has fully embraced.
He was briefly called up by Memphis in late November on a 10-day hardship exception, and his recent form suggests another NBA look may not be far away, earned through defense and all-around contribution.
“Just getting reps, reps brings confidence,” Bufkin recently said. “It’s just knowing what to do in certain situations. I think I’m just progressing in the knowledge and my IQ on the defensive end.”
Crucially, the 6-foot-4 guard remains on a standard G League contract and is not tied to the Lakers. Any NBA team is free to sign him outright without compensation, a reality that raises the stakes for Los Angeles as roster movement accelerates across the league.
Recent history has shown how quickly these situations can change. Teams have grown increasingly aggressive in securing ready-made contributors, moving decisively when opportunity presents itself.
For Bufkin, the formula is clear. Continue impacting games defensively, embrace the details, and let the rest follow. If that approach holds, his path back to the NBA may be less a question of if, and more a matter of when.