Bufkin won't start Thursday's game against the Mavericks, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bufkin was tapped for a spot start Tuesday with the Lakers without several key contributors, but he'll return to his usual bench role Thursday. The 22-year-old may not receive many chances to play given LA's backcourt has returned to health other than Luka Doncic (hamstring).

Bufkin is starting Tuesday's game against the Spurs, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bufkin will make his first start of the season due to Luka Doncic (hamstring), LeBron James (foot), Austin Reaves (calf) and Marcus Smart (ankle) all being sidelined. Bufkin will run the floor alongside Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes.

The Lakers signed Bufkin to a two-year deal Saturday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bufkin was a steady contributor for the South Bay Lakers in the G League, and the guard has been rewarded with a two-year deal to fill the Lakers' open 15th roster spot. The second year of the deal is a team option for 2026-27. Bufkin will add wing depth for the Lakers but isn't expected to have a sizable role in the rotation.

Bufkin became a free agent Friday after his 10-day contract with the Lakers expired, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Lakers will have the option of bringing Bufkin back on a second 10-day deal, though it's unclear if the team intends to do so with Austin Reaves' (calf) return seemingly on the horizon. Bufkin suited up in six games for the Lakers upon signing his 10-day pact, appearing in four of those contests while averaging 3.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 0.5 assists and 0.3 steals in 11.3 minutes.

Bufkin contributed zero points (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three rebounds, one steal and one block across 17 minutes Thursday in the Lakers' 135-117 loss to the Hornets.

EDGE Analysis

After being recalled from the G League's South Bay Lakers ahead of Thursday's contest, Bufkin was somewhat surprisingly included in head coach JJ Redick's rotation after his lone other appearance for Los Angeles came in garbage time of a blowout win over the Hawks on Tuesday. Bufkin was largely deferential on offense with a minuscule 7.6 percent usage rate, but he made an impact on the other end of the court with a pair of defensive counters. While the 22-year-old might have done enough to remain part of the second unit Saturday in Portland, he's signed to a 10-day deal with the Lakers and won't necessarily be in line for a long-term stay in the rotation.

Bufkin agreed to a 10-day contract with the Lakers on Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bufkin signed a 10-day deal with the Grizzlies earlier in the season, but he didn't appear in any games before the contract lapsed. He's otherwise spent the entire 2025-26 campaign in the G League, where he's impressed with averages of 25.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.9 three-pointers, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks in 32.5 minutes per contest over 14 appearances with the South Bay Lakers. The 22-year-old will bolster Los Angeles' depth in the backcourt but is unlikely to emerge as a regular factor in the rotation.

Bufkin (personal) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Monday's game against the Nuggets.

EDGE Analysis

Bufkin most recently played for the South Bay Lakers of the G League, where he missed Friday's game against the Santa Cruz Warriors due to personal reasons. He has since signed a 10-day hardship deal to join the Grizzlies, where he appears set to make his team debut Monday. Although he doesn't figure to see a major role, Bufkin could see some time due to Memphis' injuries at the guard spots.

Memphis plans to sign Bufkin (personal) to a 10-day hardship exception Sunday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bufkin had been playing with the South Bay Lakers of the G League to open the season, though he missed Friday's game due to personal reasons. The guard now joins a Memphis backcourt hit hard by injuries, with Ja Morant (calf), Ty Jerome (calf), Scotty Pippen (toe) and Javon Small (toe) all sidelined.

Bufkin is being waived by the Nets, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bufkin, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, struggled to stay healthy and establish a consistent role with the Hawks before being traded to the Nets in September. Facing a roster crunch, Brooklyn decided to move on from the young guard amid a crowded backcourt that includes returning scorer Cam Thomas and rookies Egor Demin, Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf.

The Hawks traded Bufkin to the Nets on Monday in exchange for cash considerations, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The move frees up a roster spot for Atlanta and reinforces Brooklyn's backcourt depth. Bufkin averaged 5.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 12.4 minutes per game over 10 regular-season games before a shoulder injury knocked him out of action. After missing most of the 2024-25 campaign, Bufkin returned to action during Summer League and balled out, averaging 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.0 steals across 26.5 minutes per game across four appearances.