NBA fans didn’t need much convincing to get excited after the Lakers made a low-risk move that suddenly felt bigger than it should.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Los Angeles signed Kobe Bufkin to a 10-day deal out of their G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. It’s a small transaction on paper, but one that immediately sparked reactions online as fans continue searching for anything that might stabilize the rotation.
The name alone set things off.
@TruckBon joked, “Lakers have a Kobe holy.”
Lakers have a Kobe holy
— bob truck (@TruckBon) January 13, 2026
Others focused more on the front office finally doing something. @LakersLead posted, “YESSS FINALLY ROB MADE A MOVE.”
Some even went further. @wagerkingz_ confidently claimed, “This will be the turning point of the season.”
Bufkin earned the call-up with his play. In seven G-League games, he averaged 28.7 points while shooting 54% from the field and 39% from three. He also chipped in 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists, putting together one of the more productive stretches in South Bay this season.
“I hope he knows how to play defense”: NBA fans set realistic expectations for Kobe Bufkin
While the excitement was loud, not everyone was ready to crown him just yet. Some fans took a more cautious approach as Bufkin prepared for his first real opportunity with the Lakers.
@metazynn cut straight to the point: “I hope he knows how to play defense.”
I hope he knows how to play defense
— zynn (@metazynn) January 14, 2026
@Jojeve1997 questioned how much the signing would actually matter, adding, “Just signed but can he have minutes?”
And @Jrwill9090 summed up the wait-and-see mood with, “Let’s see how this works.”
Bufkin has already gotten his feet wet. He logged four minutes in the Lakers’ 141-116 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, knocking down a three-pointer for his first NBA bucket. He also grabbed a rebound and recorded an assist in that short stint.
It’s nowhere near enough to judge what his role could become, but for a former 2023 NBA Draft 15th overall pick, it was at least a clean first look. Whether it turns into anything more will depend on minutes, opportunity, and whether he can give the Lakers something they’ve been missing.
