​With the California Classic finished, the Los Angeles Lakers are set to officially begin their NBA Summer League slate in Las Vegas on Friday night. Ty Abbott returns to guide the team as Summer League head coach, and the roster is highlighted by incoming draft picks Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero, who will be supported by two-way players Chris Manon, AK Okereke, and Peter Suder. The squad also features several Exhibit-10 signees and returning G League players, though a number of key contributors from last season’s South Bay Lakers have moved on.
One notable departure from South Bay is guard Kobe Bufkin, who emerged as one of the G League’s most productive players during the 2025-26 campaign. Bufkin made his Summer League debut for the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, wasting little time making an impact. In just under 32 minutes, the 22-year-old posted 30 points on 8-for-16 shooting, including five triples, as New Orleans fell 105-92 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also contributed four rebounds, six assists, and five steals, continuing to showcase the two-way versatility that made him a standout guard at the G League level last season.
Bufkin’s standout performance for South Bay previously earned him a 10-day NBA contract with the Lakers from January 13–23. Although Los Angeles chose not to extend a second 10-day deal, they later awarded him a two-year standard NBA contract that included a team option for the 2026-27 season. That deal, however, was cut short when the Lakers waived him before the playoffs. Since then, there has been substantial intrigue surrounding Bufkin’s next destination, given his status as one of the most accomplished young guards available outside the NBA.
During his 24 appearances for South Bay last season, Bufkin averaged 24.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and nearly one block per game. He shot an efficient 50.8% from the field and a remarkable 42.3% from three-point range on seven attempts per contest. Bufkin surpassed the 40-point mark on three occasions and established himself among the G League’s elite scorers, while his defensive contributions underscored his value as a true two-way prospect.
Despite his G League dominance, Bufkin’s chances with the Lakers never translated to a substantial NBA role. Across 16 NBA games, he logged only 119 minutes, averaging 2.9 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists. The Lakers’ rapid relocation to solidify all three of their two-way roster spots with Manon, Okereke, and Suder effectively closed the door on a return to the two-way framework in Los Angeles. Remaining with the Lakers on a traditional G League deal also seemed unlikely, given Bufkin’s proven ceiling and the level he reached last season.
As Bufkin competes through the rest of Summer League, the broader question remains: where will he land next? His track record suggests he could be a valuable addition to an NBA roster seeking immediate scoring punch and two-way versatility. For the Lakers, the emphasis now shifts to their current Summer League group, led by Abbott and reinforced by Carr, Thiero, Manon, Okereke, and Suder, as they aim to maximize development and showcase depth behind a veteran-laden rotation.
In the meantime, fans and analysts will watch how the Lakers’ young guard talent adapts to the Summer League stage, particularly as they face off against other NBA hopefuls who are eager to prove themselves in Las Vegas. The event serves as a critical platform for assessing potential future contributors and for evaluating how the organization’s depth pieces fit within its long-term vision. With the Summer League unfolding, all eyes will be on how these players translate their practice performance to real-game action, the level of competition they can elevate, and the impressions they leave ahead of the upcoming NBA season.