Following the NBA trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers had one open roster spot and were expected to be active on the buyout market. But instead of pursuing the likes of Cam Thomas or Haywood Highsmith, the front office, led by general manager Rob Pelinka, instead chose to use that final roster spot on someone already in-house, guard Kobe Bufkin.
The Lakers had recently given Bufkin a 10-day contract after he dominated for the South Bay Lakers in the G League. And now he has the opportunity to be around the team for the remainder of the season and potentially next year as he was signed to a two-year deal with a team option.
Bufkin was a first-round pick of the Atlanta Hawks just two years ago, and having the chance to prove that he is an NBA-caliber player with the Lakers really means a lot to him.
“It means a lot,” Bufkin said after his first career start Tuesday night against the San Antonio Spurs. “Me and Rob (Pelinka) have history, obviously him being a Michigan guy. The support has always been there, so for him to pull the trigger on me was real special.”
Bufkin spent two years at Michigan, Pelinka’s alma mater, but his NBA future was in question after he was traded this past offseason and then waived by the Brooklyn Nets. But his play in the G League turned heads to the point that the Lakers felt good about signing him, and he feels his time with South Bay has been very beneficial.
“I think it’s been great steps,” Bufkin added. “I think the system is very similar, so just being able to be in the system has helped me a lot.”
Bufkin has averaged 27.7 points, 4.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks with South Bay this year and while he obviously won’t be putting up those numbers on the main roster, he believes his two-way play, particularly his defense, is what can get him minutes.
“Just continuing to be a defensive presence,” Bufkin responded when asked what he has to do to earn minutes. “And then being able to knock shots down when they come my way, however that may look.”
Head coach JJ Redick has proven he will play whoever he feels can help the team win, as was the case last year when the Lakers signed another standout from South Bay, Jordan Goodwin, who would become a trusted member of the rotation.
Tuesday not only marked Bufkin’s first game since signing, but also his first career start, which he acknowledged was a nice moment.
“I think that was my first career start, so it was cool. It was cool with it being with the Lakers.”
Bufkin has an excellent opportunity to potentially carve out a rotation spot for himself on this Lakers team. He has already put in the work to get back to this point, now he has to deliver when his number is called.
Rookie Adou Thiero felt ‘back to normal’ in return for Lakers
Another young player looking to carve out a role on this Lakers team is rookie Adou Thiero, who made his return from a sprained MCL and said he felt back to normal in his first game back on the court.
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