- Oct 16, 2026
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The Utah Jazz plan to sign guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-way contract, requiring the club to waive forward Blake Hinson to clear space.
Bufkin was released Saturday by the New Orleans Pelicans after joining them on an Exhibit 9 contract in July. The 15th overall selection in the 2023 draft, Bufkin has appeared in 43 NBA games across three seasons, averaging 4.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 10.2 minutes per contest. He spent the G League season with South Bay, earning All-NBAGL second team honors while posting 24.8 points, 4.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game.
Injuries limited Bufkin during his two years in Atlanta and his time with the Lakers, where he was waived in April. This marks his final year of two-way eligibility on a single-season deal.
Hinson, who averaged 11.9 points in 14 games for Utah last season, will become an unrestricted free agent Friday if he clears waivers unclaimed. If Bufkin's deal finalizes Wednesday, he would be eligible for up to 50 regular-season games with a prorated salary of $674,980 through January.
Source: Hoops Rumors - Wed Oct 21, 11:36 AM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).