New Orleans Pelicans Let Go Ex-Lakers Guard In Roster Crunch
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New Orleans Pelicans Let Go Ex-Lakers Guard In Roster Crunch
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Kobe Bufkin #18 of the Los Angeles Lakers on court against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Getty
Rob Andrew Lo·HEAVY
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 28: Kobe Bufkin #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans poses for a photo at the Smoothie King Center on September 28, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: Kobe Bufkin #18 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives past LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Getty
The New Orleans Pelicans have let go of a former Los Angeles Lakers guard as the team faces a roster crunch ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season.
The team announced on Saturday that Kobe Bufkin, an ex-Lakers guard, and forward Jalon Moore have been waived by the Pelicans.
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The team has now trimmed its roster down to the regular-season limit ahead of the 2026-2027 campaign.
Kobe Bufkin's Brief Stint With The New Orleans Pelicans
GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 28: Kobe Bufkin #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans poses for a photo at the Smoothie King Center on September 28, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The 23-year-old guard, originally selected 15th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, had signed a training camp contract with New Orleans in July 2026 to compete for an opening-day roster spot.
While he initially generated significant buzz during the 2026NBASummer League, highlighted by an explosive 30-point performance in the Pelicans' debut game, he was unable to sustain that momentum into the preseason.
Bufkin appeared in three preseason games for the Pelicans, averaging 5.0 points and 1.0 rebound in limited action.
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Because his deal did not contain Exhibit 10 G League protection language, he is expected to enter free agency directly rather than reporting to the Pelicans' G League affiliate squad.
After spending his first two professional seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, the former 15th overall pick found momentum with the Lakers' G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, where he dominated by averaging 26.7 points per game.
It earned him a 10-day call-up to the main roster in January 2026. Impressed by his upside, the Lakers front office signed the 6-foot-4 guard to a multi-year standard NBA contract in February 2026 to fill their final roster spot.
Bufkin appeared in just 16 regular-season games for Los Angeles, averaging 2.9 points in 7.4 minutes per contest before being waived in April 2026 just ahead of the regular-season finale.
Kobe Bufkin Finds Great Growth Playing With Luka Doncic and LeBron James
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 15: Kobe Bufkin #18 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives pastLaMelo Ball#1 of theCharlotte Hornetsduring the first half at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The past three seasons have given Kobe Bufkin great growth as a point guard, especially his stint with the Lakers.
"Obviously, I'm coming from the Lakers. So Bron, Luka, just paying attention to their process has been good for me. So yeah, I would say those two," Bufkin said.
Bufkin added that he also learned from the Pelicans'Dejounte Murray.
"Dejounte, Dejounte would be one," Bufkin said. "I've learned a lot from DJ, even though I've only known DJ for about, you know, a month. But yeah, it's been a lot of good vets."
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Bufkin believed that the game has slowed down for him and that he feels more controlled now than his younger self.
Really just reading the game," Bufkin said. "The game has slowed down a lot in my career. And knowing my role on the court and just being efficient at that role…Knowing when to catch and shoot, that's the biggest one."
Now, Bufkin's immediate future involves exploring options across the wider basketball market. As a free agent, Bufkin can sign with any NBA team looking to fill a backcourt depth position or add a former first-round pick to their developmental system.
