Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers
Following the expiry of the February 5 trade deadline, attention quickly turned to what options remained for the Los Angeles Lakers on the buyout market.
After acquiring Luke Kennard at the deadline, Los Angeles had one open roster spot and were widely expected to explore external additions.
As the buyout pool began to take shape, the Lakers were linked to several potential fits, including Lonzo Ball, Haywood Highsmith, and Cam Thomas.
Instead, general manager Rob Pelinka has taken a different approach, filling the vacancy internally rather than looking outside of the organization.
Lakers Lock in Kobe Bufkin After G League Breakout
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Lakers are signing guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-year contract with a team option for the 2026-27 season.
Bufkin has been one of the standout performers for the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, throughout the season.
His strong play previously earned him a 10-day NBA deal that ran from January 13-23, though the Lakers opted not to extend a second 10-day contract at the time, instead sending him back to South Bay.
Through 21 G League games this season, Bufkin averaged 26.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and just under a block per game, while shooting an efficient 51.5% from the field and 43.1% from three-point range.
Over his last three outings, Bufkin scored 36, 41, and 29 points respectively, knocking down 18 three-pointers, dishing out 16 assists, and adding seven steals, reinforcing his growing two-way impact.
The 22-year-old has eclipsed the 40-point mark on three occasions. He is averaging a G League-best 27.7 points per game across 14 regular-season contests, while his 3.4 made three-pointers per game rank ninth overall.
Why the Lakers Moved Quickly This Time
Sending Bufkin back to the G League after his initial NBA stint carried some risk.
While South Bay retained his player rights, Bufkin was on a standard, unsecured G League contract, meaning he was free to sign with any NBA team on a standard, two-way, or 10-day deal.
That scenario has burned teams before. In January, the Houston Rockets capitalized on a similar situation by signing G League scoring leader Tristen Newton to a two-way contract, poaching him from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In 2024, the Memphis Grizzlies notably jumped in to sign Scotty Pippen Jr. after his breakout with South Bay, turning him into a legitimate NBA rotation player.
This time, Pelinka chose not to gamble.
Across four appearances during his January stint with the Lakers, Bufkin averaged 3.0 points and 1.3 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game, numbers that didn’t fully capture his influence.
Bufkin was rarely given extended stretches, instead appearing in brief stints alongside established rotation pieces.
Even within those limited minutes, he flashed defensive versatility and positional flexibility, traits that have come to define his G League career.
His most notable outing came in a January 17 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, when he logged 22 minutes, finished with nine points on 3-of-8 shooting, knocked down a three, and added an assist and two blocks.
By locking him in now, the Lakers secure a developing guard who has clearly outgrown the G League level and earned a longer look at the NBA level.
Rather than chasing a short-term buyout option, Los Angeles is betting on internal growth and on a player who has steadily made the case that he belongs.