LOS ANGELES — The Lakers filled out their roster at 15 players on Saturday night, signing South Bay Lakers guard Kobi Bufkin to a two-year deal that includes a team option for the 2026-2027 season, a source familiar with the situation but unauthorized to speak publicly, confirmed to the Southern California News Group.

ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the news of Bufkin’s signing.

Bufkin, 22, has signed two 10-day contracts so far this season – one with the Memphis Grizzlies in November, and another with the Lakers in January. In four games this season, all with the Lakers, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard has averaged 3.0 points per game in 11.3 minutes per game.

Selected 15th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, Bufkin played 27 games across the previous two seasons for Atlanta, averaging 5.0 points per game while shooting 48.8% from the field in 11.8 minutes per game. Playing in the G-League for South Bay, the Lakers’ affiliate team, Bufkin has been impressive. He is averaging 24.7 points, while shooting 49.6% from the field and 43.1% from 3-point range in seven games.

While Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said Saturday that the team would navigate its options to fill the 15th roster spot, including the evolving buyout market, for the time being, Bufkin will fill that void on the roster.

The Lakers could waive one of their fringe bench players, including Dalton Knecht (fully guaranteed through next season), forward/center Maxi Kleber ($11 million salary in 2025-2026) or Bronny James to make room for a free-agent acquisition. Other players on two-way contracts such as Chris Mañon, Drew Timme or Nick Smith Jr., can only be waived to add a player who is also on a partially-guaranteed deal.