Latest Lakers Rumors on Kobe Bufkin's Contract, What to Know About LA's New SG

The Los Angeles Lakers signed guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-year contract with a team option for the 2026-27 season on Sunday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

A 22-year-old from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bufkin starred at the University of Michigan before the Atlanta Hawks selected him with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.

Bufkin, who was a 2021 McDonald's All-American and 2023 All-Big Ten Third Team selection, never managed to establish himself as a consistent part of the Hawks' roster.

Over two seasons in Atlanta, Bufkin appeared in 27 games and averaged 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest.

Atlanta traded Bufkin to the Brooklyn Nets for cash considerations this past September, and after the Nets waived him, he landed with the South Bay Lakers, who are the L.A. Lakers' G League affiliate.

Bufkin has been a G League superstar this season, averaging 27.7 points, 4.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 3.4 three-pointers made, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting 52.2 percent from the field and 43.1 percent from beyond the arc.

He fared so well with South Bay that the NBA's Lakers signed him to a 10-day contract last month. Bufkin went on to appear in four NBA games, averaging 3.0 points and 1.3 rebounds per contest.

Coming out of this week's NBA trade deadline, the Lakers had an open roster spot, and they filled it Sunday by making Bufkin the 15th man.

The Lakers are a fitting landing spot for Bufkin since he is legendary Lakers guard and Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant's namesake.

While there is no living up to an 18-time All-Star, five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP and one-time NBA MVP like Bryant, Bufkin is being afforded a golden opportunity to help the Lakers go on a playoff and potential championship run.