By Gee Bino | The Who Dat Daily

The New Orleans Pelicans are giving Kobe Bufkin an opportunity to turn his impressive summer into something more permanent.

Bufkin has agreed to a one-year training-camp contract with New Orleans, according to multiple reports. The former first-round selection will enter camp competing for what is expected to be one of the final openings on the Pelicans’ regular-season roster.

The agreement is not necessarily a guaranteed NBA roster spot. It is an invitation to continue making his case after emerging as one of New Orleans’ best performers during the 2026 NBA Summer League.

Bufkin averaged 21.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists across three appearances in Las Vegas. That production gave the Pelicans another reason to examine whether the 22-year-old guard can revive a once-promising career in New Orleans.

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Bufkin Made His Opportunity Count

Summer League statistics must always be viewed within context. The competition is uneven, offensive freedom is greater and several established young players do not participate.

Still, Bufkin did more than accumulate empty points.

He played with pace, attacked defenders off the dribble and demonstrated the ability to create offense when possessions broke down. New Orleans needed a dependable perimeter initiator on its Summer League roster, and Bufkin frequently became that player.

His best performance came in the opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, when he recorded 30 points, six rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes.

He followed that with 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals during a victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Bufkin then scored 15 points in New Orleans’ win over the Phoenix Suns.

Kobe Bufkin’s 2026 Summer League production

Opponent	Points	Rebounds	Assists	Steals	Result
Minnesota	30	6	2	—	105–92 loss
Charlotte	19	6	5	4	95–91 win
Phoenix	15	4	2	2	81–75 win
Average	21.3	4.7	3.0	—	2–1

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This Is a Low-Risk Bet for New Orleans

Bufkin was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 15th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft before having his rights traded to Atlanta. Injuries and limited opportunities prevented him from establishing a consistent NBA role.

He appeared in only 43 regular-season games over his first three professional seasons. During the 2025–26 campaign, he played 16 games for the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 2.9 points in 7.4 minutes per appearance.

That résumé explains why New Orleans is not handing Bufkin a guaranteed rotation role. It also explains why the opportunity could provide legitimate value.

Former first-round selections do not automatically develop on schedule. Sometimes a player needs better health, a different coaching staff or a more suitable role before his original strengths become visible again.

Bufkin is still young enough for the Pelicans to explore that possibility without making a major financial commitment.

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Film Room: What Bufkin Adds

Bufkin’s most useful attribute is his ability to threaten a defense from multiple levels.

He can initiate offense, turn the corner in pick-and-roll situations and reach the paint without relying exclusively on elite athleticism. His change of pace helps him create angles, while his length gives him a chance to finish over smaller guards.

Bufkin also showed that he could contribute without dominating every possession. He moved into open spaces, pushed the ball in transition and created opportunities after defensive rebounds.

That versatility matters because the Pelicans already have several guards who require the basketball.

Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole and Jeremiah Fears are expected to handle most of the primary creation duties. Jordan Hawkins, Bryce McGowens, Jaron Pierre Jr. and Micah Peavy add even more competition around the perimeter.

Bufkin cannot enter camp expecting 15 shots every night. He must prove that he can defend, make quick decisions and remain effective in a smaller role.

That will be the real test.

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The Pelicans’ Crowded Guard Competition

The Bufkin signing gives head coach Jamahl Mosley another option, but it also makes an already crowded backcourt even more competitive.

Player	Position	Height	Weight
Jordan Poole	PG/SG	6-foot-4	194 pounds
Dejounte Murray	PG/SG	6-foot-4	180 pounds
Jeremiah Fears	PG	6-foot-3	190 pounds
Jordan Hawkins	SG	6-foot-5	190 pounds
Bryce McGowens	SG/SF	6-foot-6	190 pounds
Micah Peavy	SG/SF	6-foot-7	215 pounds
Jaron Pierre Jr.	SG	6-foot-5	210 pounds
Kobe Bufkin	PG/SG	6-foot-5	195 pounds

The competition will not be decided by scoring averages alone.

The final roster spot could come down to defensive versatility, special-situation value and which player best complements New Orleans’ established creators. Bufkin must demonstrate that his Summer League offense can translate into efficient production against NBA-level size and pressure.

He will also need to defend with consistency. Mosley’s best teams in Orlando were constructed around pressure, length and defensive accountability. Bufkin has the physical tools to participate in that system, but training camp will reveal whether he can execute it possession after possession.

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Could Bufkin Affect Jordan Hawkins’ Future?

The timing of the agreement is especially interesting because New Orleans has reportedly explored trade frameworks involving Jordan Hawkins.

Hawkins is entering the final guaranteed season of his rookie contract and is scheduled to earn slightly more than $7 million. Memphis has reportedly expressed interest, although no trade agreement had been reached when those discussions became public.

Bufkin’s contract does not guarantee Hawkins will be traded. However, it provides New Orleans with another potential backcourt option if the front office moves Hawkins to create financial or roster flexibility.

That is an important distinction.

The Pelicans are not merely rewarding Bufkin for three strong games. They are also creating competition and protecting themselves against another possible transaction.

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Big Q’s Take

Bufkin earned this opportunity.

He was one of the few Pelicans Summer League players who consistently looked capable of creating NBA-level offense. He played aggressively, produced against multiple opponents and gave New Orleans something it frequently lacked last season: another guard capable of reaching the paint and generating his own shot.

But this is where the evaluation becomes more demanding.

Summer League allowed Bufkin to operate as a featured scorer. The regular-season Pelicans will ask him to play behind established guards, defend without taking possessions off and remain productive with fewer touches.

If he accepts that challenge, New Orleans may have found a useful reclamation project at minimal cost.

If he approaches camp as though he must recreate his 21.3-point average, the crowded backcourt could quickly squeeze him out.

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Why It Matters

The Bufkin signing represents the type of low-risk move New Orleans should continue making.

The Pelicans do not need another expensive veteran who has already reached his ceiling. They need young players who still possess upside and have something to prove.

Bufkin checks both boxes.

He was a first-round selection only three years ago. He has positional size, shot-creation ability and enough experience to understand what has prevented him from securing a stable NBA role.

Now he has a genuine opportunity to change that story.

His Summer League performance opened the door. Training camp will determine whether he can walk through it.

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Prediction

Bufkin should have a legitimate chance to claim the final roster spot, especially if the Pelicans complete a trade involving Hawkins.

His offensive versatility gives him an advantage over more specialized candidates, but his ultimate standing will depend on defense and off-ball execution.

Prediction: Bufkin survives the initial camp competition and remains with the organization, either on the regular-season roster or through a developmental arrangement.

Confidence level: 7 out of 10.

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Gee Bino is a senior writer and columnist for The Who Dat Daily, covering the New Orleans Saints, Pelicans, LSU athletics, and the Gulf South sports landscape. He specializes in roster construction, player development, salary cap strategy, and breaking news coverage. Follow The Who Dat Daily for daily news, analysis, and exclusive team coverage.