On Thursday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers will host the Chicago Bulls.
They most recently beat the Minnesota Timberwolves (also in Los Angeles) by a score of 120-106.
Kobe Bufkin finished the win with two points while shooting 1/2 from the field in two minutes of playing time.
Los Angeles Lakers Assign Kobe Bufkin To South Bay
Before their showdown with the Bulls on Thursday, the Lakers have made a roster move by assigning Bufkin to South Bay (G League).
Bufkin has played well in the G League, averaging 27.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest while shooting 52.2% from the field and 43.1% from three-point range in 14 games (13 starts) this season.
That said, he is only averaging 3.0 points per contest in 11 NBA games this year.
ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote (on February 8): “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.”
Bufkin Before Los Angeles
The former Michigan star was the 15th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
He has also had stints with the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets over three seasons.
His carer averages are 4.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest while shooting 35.6% from the field and 20.3% from three-point range in 38 games.
At just 22, Bufkin has shown a lot of promise during his time in the G League.
It’s still possible he could develop into a solid rotational piece at the NBA level.
Lakers Ahead Of Bulls
The Lakers enter the night as the fourth seed in the Western Conference with a 40-25 record in 65 games.
They have won three in a row (and six out of their last ten).
Following the Bulls, the Lakers will remain at home to host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.