Lakers Rising Star Forces Urgent Decision After Scoring Outburst

Kobe Bufkin is making a compelling case for NBA teams to take notice. The Los Angeles Lakers’ G League standout has rapidly emerged as one of the most productive players outside the NBA, turning a stop-start professional career into a showcase of scoring, playmaking, and defensive versatility.

After averaging 24.7 points per game in the Tip-Off Tournament for the South Bay Lakers, the fifth-highest league-wide, alongside 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and one steal, while shooting a scorching 43.1% from three-point range, Bufkin continued his impressive season with back-to-back 23-point outings at the recent G League Winter Showcase.

The Showcase, heavily attended by NBA scouts seeking immediate depth solutions, allowed the 6-foot-4 guard to demonstrate his readiness for the next level.

These performances, combined with his late November call-up on a 10-day hardship deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, further cemented Bufkin’s reputation as one of the most NBA-ready guards currently outside the league.

While he did not appear in a game for Memphis, the call-up highlighted both his individual momentum and the NBA’s growing reliance on the G League as a proven talent pipeline. His consistent output in a high-profile setting in Los Angeles has made him one of the most discussed G League players of the season.

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Kobe Bufkin is Forcing an NBA Decision

On Saturday night, Bufkin erupted for 41 points in the South Bay’s 124-123 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He shot efficiently, going 13-of-20 from the field and 5-of-8 from three-point range, while adding five rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and three blocks.

 

His five three-pointers and nine assists were season-highs, and his points total was just one shy of his season-high 42 set on Dec. 7 a win over the Rip City Remix. This marked his second 40-plus point game of the season, reinforcing that his scoring ability is not a one-off but part of a sustained stretch of elite production.

Drafted 15th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2023, Bufkin’s early NBA career was disrupted by injuries and limited minutes, but he has found rhythm and confidence in the G League. His combination of athleticism, scoring, playmaking, and defensive energy has put him firmly on the radar of multiple front offices, signaling that a more permanent NBA role may be imminent.

His recent performances have sparked increasing speculation that a call-up could either happen very soon or following the All-Star break, when losing teams typically look to evaluate talent for the remainder of the season.

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A Low-Risk, High-Upside Option

The timing of Bufkin’s hot streak has become crucial. Whether with the Lakers or another NBA team, the 22-year-old, currently on a standard G League contract, could force a swift decision on whether to promote him to a standard or two-way deal, especially with G League call-ups happening frequently around the league following the Winter Showcase.

Across 27 NBA games with Atlanta between 2023 and 2025, Bufkin averaged just five points, two rebounds, and 1.6 assists on 37.4 percent shooting. In contrast, his G League output with the College Park Skyhawks, where he averaged 23.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.4 steals, illustrated the talent he possesses when given consistent opportunity. This development has carried over into his current campaign with South Bay.

Bufkin’s emergence is highlighting a broader trend with the G League becoming a legitimate proving ground for ready-now talent. His sustained production, versatility, and ability to perform in high-pressure environments make him difficult to ignore, and it appears only a matter of time before he receives a call to contribute at the NBA level.

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