Breaking: The Lakers are bringing in a new guard with serious upside. I can confirm Los Angeles has agreed to sign Kobe Bufkin to a 10-day contract. The former first round pick gets a fast track audition to boost a backcourt that needs a spark. The window is short. The opportunity is real.
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Why the Lakers Moved Now
This is a low risk, high reward play. The offense has stalled in key stretches. Turnovers and empty trips have piled up. The second unit has lacked punch, pace, and dribble creation. Bufkin checks those boxes.
He is 6-foot-4, a true combo guard with a smooth handle. He built his name at Michigan with crafty pick and roll reads. Atlanta took him 15th overall in 2023 for that very reason. He can get two feet in the paint. He can manipulate a big in drop coverage. He is comfortable hitting the pocket pass or a floater.
Los Angeles wanted another creator who can also guard. Bufkin’s hands are active at the point of attack. He slides well laterally and bothers dribblers with his length. That two way profile fits the current need. Score, then get a stop. Repeat.
Teams can sign a player to up to two 10-day contracts before making a rest of season decision.
What Kobe Bufkin Brings
Bufkin’s game is built on pace control. He changes speeds well. He keeps defenders on his hip. That is gold in late clock sets. He loves to snake the pick and roll, then rise into a midrange pull up if the big drops. He can also finish with either hand, which matters in tight space.
His catch and shoot numbers in college hinted at growth. The form is clean, feet are balanced, release is repeatable. If the Lakers space the corners and run him off a high screen, he can punish help with quick reads. You will also see him cut off ball when the defense is watching the star. That movement creates easy points.
On defense, he competes. He gets into the ball early and tries to turn guards. He jumps passing lanes when the weak side is asleep. That can fuel transition chances, which this team needs. Easy buckets calm nerves and change momentum.
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Expect the staff to keep his menu simple at first. High ball screens, second side actions, and clear spacing around him.
Immediate Fit
The staff does not need him to be a savior. They need him to be solid. Run the team for four minute stints. Protect the ball. Pressure the rim. Then defend your spot. If he does that, the rotation stabilizes around him.
Look for him to share the floor with bigger wings who can shoot. That gives him driving lanes and kickouts. A rim running big next to him would also help. He has the timing to reward a hard roll with a quick lob or bounce pass. It is simple basketball, and it travels.
- Secondary ball handling for bench groups
- Pace and pressure in early offense
- Point of attack defense against quick guards
- Catch and shoot spacing on drive and kick plays
The 10-Day Window, What Matters Most
A 10-day is a sprint. There is no time for long on boarding. He will get a slim playbook and clear tasks. Bring energy. Push tempo. Be decisive. The evaluators will watch how he handles contact, reads help, and finishes through traffic. They will also study his screen navigation and communication on defense.
The box score will matter, but not as much as the tape. Does he keep the ball moving? Does he understand spacing rules? Does he compete every possession? Those habits are what turn a 10-day into a second 10-day, then into a standard deal.
There is also a culture layer here. A guard named Kobe putting on Laker gold carries weight in this city. It is not a burden if you embrace it. It is a chance to show poise, purpose, and pride. One solid week can open a door for a career. One tough night does not end anything, but effort is non negotiable.
What Success Looks Like
If Bufkin pops, the signs will be easy to spot. The bench units look smoother. Turnovers drop. The ball hits the paint with more regularity. The staff trusts him to close a quarter. Teammates find him after stops because they know he will organize. Coaches love reliability. Fans love production. Both can happen at once.
If it does not click right away, the structure of the deal protects the team’s flexibility. That is why this move makes sense today. The upside is real, the risk is limited, and the need is clear.
Conclusion
Kobe Bufkin is getting a real shot, and the timing is perfect. The Lakers need juice in the backcourt. He brings craft, burst, and a defender’s edge. The plan is simple. Put him in actions that highlight his strengths, then let his instincts take over. If he hits, this 10-day could turn into something bigger. If he plays with force and clarity, it will not take long for the arena to feel it. Basketball rewards pressure on the rim and pressure at the point of attack. Bufkin can give Los Angeles both, starting now. 🏀
