The Los Angeles Lakers recently continued their win streak following a 105-99 win over the Golden State Warriors. They have now won eight of their last 11 games coming into the NBA All-Star break, where they have two All-Stars this year, in LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
Currently, the Lakers sit in fifth place in the Western Conference with a 32-19 record. Following tonight’s game, they are one game behind the third-place Denver Nuggets. Additionally, the franchise also announced a signing following their victory tonight.
Lakers Announce Signing of 22-Year-Old Free Agent
Following tonight’s victory over the Warriors, the Lakers announced they were signing Kobe Bufkin to a two-year deal. This two-year contract will also come with a team option for the 2026-2027 season. The Lakers previously signed Bufkin to a ten-day contract.
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
“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 rejoins the Lakers in his third NBA season to fill their 15th roster spot,” reported ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Bufkin, a 2023 first-round pick for the Atlanta Hawks, has been playing in the G-League this year, averaging 27.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across 14 games. The former first-round pick was also on the Lakers’ roster on a ten-day contract.
During his recent spell with the Lakers, the former first-round pick failed to properly impress, scoring just 12 points over 4 games.
In his most recent G-League game, Bufkin ended with 29 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block in 37 minutes during the South Bay sides’ Friday 115-114 G League loss to the Capital City Go-Go.
After struggling in the NBA for the Hawks, Bufkin was traded to the Brooklyn Nets for cash considerations. He appeared in two preseason games for the Nets, averaging 7.0 points and 2.5 rebounds, before eventually being waived in December.
After being picked up by the franchise, according to recent reports, the former Hawk will fill out the final spot on the Lakers’ roster. The franchise was previously linked with Haywood Highsmith; however, there may still be potential roster moves in the coming days.
After signing Kobe Bufkin to a standard contract, the Lakers now have 15 players under contract and don’t appear to be adding anyone in the buyout market unless someone else is waived.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) February 8, 2026
“After signing Kobe Bufkin to a standard contract, the Lakers now have 15 players under contract and don’t appear to be adding anyone in the buyout market unless someone else is waived.” NBA insider Brett Siegel revealed in his report.
Whether the franchise makes a move to chop and change their roster in the coming days, they have locked down one of the top talents in the G-League for the next two years.
Additionally, Dončić is set to potentially return from injury before the NBA All-Star break.
With a clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder coming up, the Lakers will be granted a huge boost with the potential return of Doncic. However, Bufkin will most likely not feature in a significant capacity at this current point in time, instead featuring as a depth option.
