Roster turnover happens in today’s NBA, but the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves on the extreme side of things this offseason, navigating life without LeBron James and embracing Luka Doncic as their franchise player. This meant catering a roster around Doncic, which so far has included eight new additions.
While players are arriving, that means players are departing and one of those recent departures was Kobe Bufkin, who has now signed a training camp deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, via Will Guillory for The Athletic:
Kobe Bufkin is signing a training camp deal with the Pelicans and will be one of the players competing for the final spot on the roster, a team source confirmed. @MikeAScotto was first to report.
Bufkin, a former first-round pick in 2023, played really for New Orleans during…
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) July 25, 2026
The Lakers brought in Bufkin last season hoping to develop him into a rotation player. As a former lottery pick in 2023, the 6’4″ guard began to find his footing during his time with the South Bay Lakers, but never truly got an opportunity to translate it to the next level after signing an NBA contract with the team
The The Lakers ultimately decided to waive Bufkin before the start of the playoffs and he landed a spot on New Orleans’ Summer League squad, where he put together a successful run in Las Vegas. Notably, he dropped 30 points and six rebounds on 8-for-16 from the field and 5-for-9 from 3-point range against the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 9.
That performance prompted the Pelicans to give the Michigan product a longer look heading into this season. If he hopes to get another opportunity in the NBA, he needs to find a way to be an efficient scorer while also embracing the defensive end, which may be his biggest challenge with a slim frame at 195 pounds.
Kobe Bufkin appreciates\d Rob Pelinka & Lakers giving him opportunity
When a lottery pick does not pan out, it typically is hard for that player to find their footing elsewhere. Bufkin did not find a rhythm with the Atlanta Hawks and only lasted two seasons there, appearing in 27 total games.
The Lakers then decided to bring him in and provide that opportunity to rehab his young NBA career. Bufkin appreciated general manager Rob Pelinka and the Lakers giving him another chance, and hopefully things now pan out for him in New Orleans if he can impress during training camp.
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