Utah Jazz Make Roster Moves Before Season Opener vs. Memphis Grizzlies
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Utah Jazz Make Roster Moves Before Season Opener vs. Memphis Grizzlies
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 12 : Head Coach Will Hardy of the Utah Jazz calls a play during the second half of their preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Delta Center on October 12, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Chris Gardner/ Getty Images) Getty
Juan Paolo David·HEAVY
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4 min read
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Former Lakers guard Kobe Bufkin during an NBA game in February 2026 Getty
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 6: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz works the ball against Cam Johnson #23 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half of their preseason game at the Delta Center on October 6, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz made a couple of roster moves ahead of their season opener on Wednesday, October 21, against the Memphis Grizzlies.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Jazz are set to part ways with Blake Hinson, who was on a two-way contract.
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"The Utah Jazz will waive two-way forward Blake Hinson, league sources told @hoopshype," Scotto tweeted. "Hinson averaged 11.9 points on 51.3% shooting from the field and 46.8% from 3-point range in 14 games for the Jazz last season."
Hinson went undrafted in 2024 and played the first two seasons of his pro career in theNBAG League. He played for the Santa CruzWarriorsas a rookie, followed by a stint with the Rip City Remix.
The Jazz signed him to a two-way contract last February. He scored a career-high 30 points on April 11 against the Grizzlies.
Jazz to Sign Kobe Bufkin to Two-Way Contract
GettyKobe Bufkin #18 of the Los Angeles Lakers on court against theSan Antonio Spursin the second half at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
With Blake Hinson set to leave, the Utah Jazz are reportedly signing former first-round pickKobe Bufkinto a two-way contract.
"The Jazz are signing Kobe Bufkin, per source, to Utah's newly-opened two-way slot," Fischer tweeted.
Bufkin was the 15th overall pick by theAtlanta Hawksin 2023. He spent two seasons in Atlanta, but he only played 27 games in total. He primarily played for the Hawks' G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks.
The 23-year-old guard joined theLos Angeles Lakerslast season. He appeared in 16 games andaveraged2.9 points per game. He was waived before the start of the playoffs.
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TheNew Orleans Pelicanssigned Bufkin to a training camp deal. He was released on Saturday.
Utah Jazz Season Preview
GettyDarryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz works the ball againstCam Johnson#23 of theDenver Nuggetsduring the first half of their preseason game at the Delta Center on October 6, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Utah Jazz were coming off a 22-win season. They had the worst record in the Western Conference and landed the second overall pick of the 2026 NBA draft.
