Lakers’ Kobe Bufkin shares confident approach amid 10-day contract

The 2025-26 season has already been tumultuous Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bufkin. He started with the Brooklyn Nets, sat out training camp, joined South Bay in the G League, was briefly called up by the Memphis Grizzlies due to injury issues and is now on a 10-day contract with the Lakers.

Kobe Bufkin’s first official game with the Lakers after signing a 10-day contract was last week during the team’s win against the Atlanta Hawks. Coach JJ Reddick acknowledged that Bufkin likely won’t see much of the field in that game because he’s just arrived, but he’ll certainly get his opportunities over the course of 10 days.

Bufkin’s first game with extended minutes came during the Lakers’ loss to the Charlotte Hornets last Thursday. He entered the game late in the first quarter, and while he didn’t fill the stat line, he promised defensively, and as a rebounding guard in his 17 minutes.

Obviously nothing is guaranteed after the first 10 days, but for Bufkin it’s all about continuing to take steps forward.

“It’s just taking a step in the right direction,” Bufkin told ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview. “By not continuing to take more steps back.”

Taking a step back would be similar to when the Nets waived him before the start of the regular season. After two years with the Atlanta Hawks, Bufkin was traded to Brooklyn. Amid roster congestion and more young players, the Nets decided to part ways to consolidate their roster.

The Hawks gave up on him fairly quickly considering he was a first-round pick and showed encouraging potential during his time with the team. Earlier this season before the Memphis call-up, Bufkin admitted that he learned the key to success in the NBA it comes from knowing what you are good at and perfecting it.

Scoring is clearly a strong point of Bufkin’s game, as evidenced by his stellar start to the G League season. But he knows that scoring alone won’t keep him in the NBA. He has shown the ability to be a strong defender on offense, and that is something the Lakers want to see from him.

“Just being able to put pressure on the ball and stay in place to make the play,” Bufkin said. “Less about just being out there, but actually making an impact, there’s a difference. Just making an impact.”

On January 13, Bufkin initially signed his 10-day contract ahead of the Lakers’ game against the Hawks. The team then had the day off before resuming play on January 15th against the Charlotte Hornets. But between those two days, South Bay had a home game against the San Diego Clippers, a game for which Bufkin was answering.

It was actually Bufkin who asked to be assigned to the South Bay between games, which the Lakers granted. That meant Bufkin played three consecutive games last week, and his layoff in the G League served as a simulation of sorts for the NBA.

South Bay coach Zach Guthrie told ClutchPoints that the decision to bench Bufkin was a simulation of the role he will have with the Lakers. He will be asked to bring energy off the bench and act as a secondary ball handler at times. Someone who can knock down an open shot and be okay with not touching the ball every possession.

And for Bufkin, the reason he asked to play with South Bay between games was because it was a good opportunity for him to continue to get better.

“It’s good. It’s a good experience with South Bay at the end of the day,” Bufkin said. “I just try to use all the tools I can.”

Bufkin played 15 games in the G League this season. He averaged 25.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks while shooting 51.4 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from the 3-point line and 90.9 percent from the free throw line.

He already had two 40+ point games. But he knows his stay with the Lakers, and if it lasts longer than the first 10 days, depends on being able to impact the game without the ball in his hands. That’s what he’s been told by the Lakers’ coaching staff, and he’s confident he can do just that.

“They just want me to stay ready whenever my number is called,” Bufkin said. “I can bring a defensive presence, bring energy and be able to knock down a shot when it comes my way.”