By Justin GrassoShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Memphis Grizzlies are going to get a look at a Los Angeles Lakers developmental prospect.
On Sunday, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Grizzlies are calling up Kobe Bufkin, who recently joined the Lakers’ G League affiliate in South Bay.
For Bufkin, it’s not his first go-round at the NBA level. He spent the previous two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.
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After recently making his South Bay Lakers debut, Bufkin appeared in just two games. Seeing the court for 28.5 minutes per game, Bufkin shot 44 percent from the field and 50 percent from three to average 22 points per game. He also posted an average of 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.0 steals.
Bufkin has a chance of returning to South Bay when his short stint with the Grizzlies is up, but for the time being, he’ll attempt to work his way back onto an NBA roster for the long haul.
...Coming out of Michigan in 2023, Bufkin was the 15th overall pick in the NBA Draft. He was selected by the Atlanta Hawks, who kept him on board for his first two seasons.
As a rookie, Bufkin appeared in 17 games, seeing the court for 11.5 minutes per game. He produced 4.8 points while shooting 37 percent from three. During his sophomore effort, he saw a slight increase in production. Taking on a small bump of minutes (12.4 per game), Bufkin averaged 5.3 points while shooting 38 percent from the field.
Over the offseason, the Hawks traded Bufkin to the Brooklyn Nets. He wasn’t kept around beyond the preseason. Bufkin’s G League rights belonged to the Motor City Cruise, but the Lakers acquired them for a 2027 first-round pick in the G League draft. He didn’t get to spend too much time out west before getting the call to head to Memphis.
The Grizzlies recently wrapped up a game with the Dallas Mavericks. They’ll host the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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