The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for a roster adjustment as they gear up to face the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the team is set to sign veteran guard Kove Bufkin to a 10-day contract.
If Bufkin is available for Tuesday’s game, he will have the chance to play against his former team. Bufkin was drafted 15th overall by the Hawks out of Michigan in 2023 and spent two seasons with the team, appearing in 27 games. During his time in Atlanta, he averaged 11.9 minutes on the court, scoring 5.0 points, grabbing 2.0 rebounds, and dishing out 1.6 assists per game on a 37 percent shooting clip.
Earlier in September, Bufkin was traded from the Hawks to the Brooklyn Nets, where he was waived after just a month. His NBA G League rights subsequently transferred to the Lakers’ affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, offering LA an opportunity to evaluate his performance closely.
Following a brief stint with the Memphis Grizzlies in November, where he did not see any game time, Bufkin returned to G League action. In seven games with South Bay, he demonstrated his offensive prowess, averaging 28.7 points per game while shooting an impressive 54 percent from the field, including a strong 39 percent from beyond the arc.
As the Lakers prepare to host the Hawks after their recent loss to the Sacramento Kings, they are eager to halt a three-game losing streak. With a record of 23-14, they currently sit fifth in the Western Conference, closely pursued by the Phoenix Suns at 24-15.
Fans are looking forward to seeing if Bufkin can make a significant impact as he reunites with a familiar opponent in the Hawks. The upcoming matchup presents an exciting opportunity for both the player and the team as they strive to get back in the win column.