The Los Angeles Lakers made one trade at the deadline, swapping out Gabe Vincent for Luke Kennard, adding some much-needed 3-point shooting.
After only making one move though, the Lakers left themselves with an open roster spot to add a player via the buyout market, as they have in the past with guys like Markieff Morris, Andre Drummond and Spencer Dinwiddie.
There are some intriguing options on the buyout market again this year, but it appears the Lakers are going in-house for their final roster spot.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Lakers are signing Kobe Bufkin to a two-year standard NBA contract with a team option in 2026-27:
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. pic.twitter.com/Z1m3M4KvTM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2026
Bufkin has been with the Lakers’ G League affiliate South Bay Lakers this season and has been exceptional, averaging 26.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 51.3% from the field and 43.1% from 3-point range in 21 games.
The Lakers gave him a call-up earlier this season, signing him to a 10-day contract, although he only played sparing minutes before that expired. With him playing so well in the G League though, the former first round pick was bound to get signed by someone, and it’s good to see that it will be with the Lakers for at least the remainder of this season.
If Bufkin impresses to end the year then the Lakers will likely pick up his team option for 2026-27 as well.
Lakers coach JJ Redick plans to tell Luke Kennard to shoot more
While Luke Kennard is one of the best shooters in the league, he has never been the most high-volume shooter averaging just 4.4 attempts from deep per game. But Lakers coach JJ Redick plans on pushing him to shoot even more.
“Excited about Luke,” Redick said. “I’ve known him, I guess for about 12 years now and I think he’s one of the best shooters in the NBA. I’m gonna highly encourage him to shoot more and not turn down shots. Because I think one of the underrated part of his game is his ability to move and create second actions and move the basketball. You’ve seen that now at a number of his stops where you can initiate the offense through an off-ball movement and he will just make the right play and sort of get the offense going. So he’ll be a corner threat and he’ll be an off-ball threat and we’re excited to have him.”
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