Getty
Kobe Bufkin during his short spell with the Brooklyn Nets in 2025
After a stop-start beginning to his professional career, Kobe Bufkin has emerged as one of the most productive players in the G League, placing himself firmly on the verge of a meaningful NBA opportunity that could keep him in the league long-term.
Once viewed as a developmental first-round investment after being selected 15th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Bufkin is now using sustained production, efficiency, and growing maturity to rebuild his standing in league circles.
That progress was reflected in his late November call up on a 10-day hardship deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. While he did not appear in a game, the opportunity itself highlighted both Bufkin’s individual momentum and the NBA’s increasing reliance on the G League as a legitimate talent pipeline.
Lakers Pipeline Fuels Bufkin’s G League Resurgence
Bufkin opened the season on a standard G League contract with the South Bay Lakers and quickly separated himself from the pack. He averaged 24.7 points per game across the Tip-Off Tournament, the fifth-highest league wide, alongside 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and one steal, while shooting an impressive 43.1% from three point range.
Playing with increased freedom and responsibility, the 6-foot-4 guard has established himself as a reliable high volume scorer while still contributing as a secondary playmaker and perimeter defender. Those complementary skills are particularly valuable at the NBA level, where scoring opportunities are often limited for G League call-ups.
His best performance came on Dec. 7, when Bufkin erupted for 42 points on 13-of-20 shooting in a win over the Rip City Remix, adding six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block.
He followed that with 23-point outings in back-to-back games at the Winter Showcase against the Sioux Falls Skyforce and Wisconsin Herd just before Christmas, an event heavily attended by NBA scouts seeking immediate depth solutions. Those performances have further cemented Bufkin’s reputation as one of the most NBA-ready guards currently outside the league.
From First-Round Promise to NBA Re-Evaluation
Bufkin entered the NBA with clear upside as a two-way guard after two seasons at the University of Michigan, where he earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2023. Injuries, however, disrupted his early development and prevented him from establishing continuity at the professional level.
Across two seasons with Atlanta before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets and subsequently waived, Bufkin appeared in 27 NBA games, averaging five points, two rebounds, and 1.6 assists on 37.4% shooting.
In contrast, his G League production told a different story. With affiliate team the College Park Skyhawks in 2023-24, he averaged 23.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.4 steals across 14 regular season games.
The G League has provided Bufkin with repetition, responsibility, and the space to refine his game. Importantly, his current contract status leaves him free to sign with any NBA team, with no long-term hold from the Lakers. Memphis’ recent interest is notable, especially given the franchise’s successful history of identifying G League talent such as Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jay Huff.
As the season progresses past the All-Star break and teams begin evaluating talent amid injuries and shutdowns, opportunities typically open up across the league. If that pattern holds, Bufkin is well positioned to be among the first names called, with his recent play suggesting he is ready to make the most of it.
Matt Evans Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans
More Heavy on Lakers
Loading more stories