Kobe Bufkin
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Lakers' Kobe Bufkin during his 10-day stint in the NBA against his former team, the Atlanta Hawks
After the Los Angeles Lakers landed Luke Kennard at the trade deadline, attention quickly shifted to what the franchise might do next with the buyout market looming.
The pool began to take shape almost immediately, with several recognizable names emerging as potential options, including Mike Conley Jr., Lonzo Ball, Haywood Highsmith, and Cam Thomas.
“We have an open roster spot and we are in active conversations with some players that are available now, doing our due diligence,” general manager Rob Pelinka told reporters following the deadline.
“Players down the road could come in through the buyout market. We are evaluating that 15th roster spot and at some point probably will likely fill it.”
Pelinka did ultimately fill that final spot, but not in the way many expected.
Rather than waiting on the buyout market, the Lakers opted to reward internal production, signing G League standout Kobe Bufkin to a two-year NBA contract.
Lakers Lock In G League Standout
Bufkin’s body of work with the South Bay Lakers certainly made a compelling case.
Across 21 G League appearances this season, he averaged 26.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and just under a block per game, while shooting 51.5% from the field and an impressive 43.1% from three-point range.
His recent run only amplified the urgency. Over his last three games, Bufkin poured in 36, 41, and 29 points, connecting on 18 three-pointers, handing out 16 assists, and recording seven steals.
Throughout the season, he has been widely viewed as one of the most NBA-ready guards in the G League.
After his initial 10-day contract ran between January 13-23, the Lakers chose not to offer Bufkin a second stint, which would have conveniently carried him through to the trade deadline, instead sending him back to South Bay.
In doing so, they briefly exposed themselves to risk.
Because Bufkin was on a standard, unsecured G League contract, he was free to sign with any NBA team on a standard, two-way, or 10-day deal, despite South Bay retaining his player rights.
Around the league, teams have increasingly turned to the G League in search of contributors, and the Lakers saw firsthand in 2024 how quickly talent can be claimed when the Memphis Grizzlies signed Scotty Pippen Jr. after his stint with Los Angeles.
With interest likely building elsewhere, Pelinka ultimately chose certainty over patience.
A Clear Choice Over the Buyout Market
The Lakers did have alternative paths. They could have reshuffled their two-way contracts, potentially waiving Chris Manon to create flexibility, while keeping the 15th roster spot open for a buyout addition.
Drew Timme and Nick Smith Jr. had already logged significant time on two-way deals, but league rules still left room for maneuvering.
Under the NBA’s “under-15” provision, teams carrying fewer than 15 players on standard contracts can deploy their two-way players for up to 90 combined games, rather than the usual 50 games each once the roster is full.
According to Spotrac, Drew Timme and Nick Smith Jr. have combined for 49 appearances, meaning there was still flexibility for Bufkin to contribute at the NBA level on a two-way deal if the Lakers had chosen that route.
Even so, the final roster spot was always going to be filled. By converting Bufkin to a standard contract now, Los Angeles removed any uncertainty, ensured he could play freely for the remainder of the season, and avoided the risk of losing him to another team.
Part of the decision-making likely came down to how the buyout market was developing. Cam Thomas has since signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Lonzo Ball, meanwhile, has drawn caution, with teams reportedly seeking access to his medical information before committing, per NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Haywood Highsmith, once viewed as a reliable 3-and-D option, remains an unknown after not playing at all this season due to injury.
Against that backdrop, betting on Bufkin made increasing sense.
While G League production does not always translate seamlessly to the NBA, Bufkin has reached a point where he has clearly outgrown South Bay and earned a longer look at the NBA level.
By choosing internal growth over a short-term buyout swing, the Lakers are backing a player with clear two-way upside and the profile of a future rotation piece, rather than rolling the dice on external uncertainty.