Utah Jazz Sign Kobe Bufkin to Two-Way Contract
The Jazz added the 23-year-old guard to their roster after waiving Blake Hinson.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball
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The Utah Jazz have signed 23-year-old guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-way contract, filling a roster spot previously occupied by Blake Hinson. Bufkin, the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, joins the organization after being waived by the New Orleans Pelicans.
Why it matters
This move provides the Jazz with additional backcourt depth as Bufkin works to refine his skills. He will split his time between the active NBA roster and the Salt Lake City Stars to continue his professional development.
Bufkin was selected 15th overall in the 2023 NBA draft and averaged 27.7 points per game with a 52.2% field goal percentage while playing for South Bay. Two-way players are limited to a maximum of 50 regular-season games with their NBA club.
The players
Kobe Bufkin
He is a 23-year-old professional basketball player who was originally drafted 15th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2023.
Blake Hinson
He is a basketball player who was waived by the Utah Jazz to create a roster opening for this signing.
Utah Jazz
This is a professional basketball team competing in the NBA that is based in Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City Stars
They are a professional basketball team in the NBA G League that serves as the affiliate for the Utah Jazz.
The details
The Utah Jazz utilized an open two-way roster slot to acquire Bufkin following his release from New Orleans. To finalize the agreement, the team waived Blake Hinson to clear the necessary space on the roster.
Timeline
2023: Kobe Bufkin was selected 15th overall in the NBA draft.
January 2026: Lakers signed Bufkin to a 10-day contract.
February 2026: Lakers signed Bufkin to a two-year standard deal.
April 10, 2026: Lakers waived Bufkin.
October 2026: Jazz signed Bufkin to a two-way contract.
Season Trajectory
This roster move underscores the ongoing strategy of leveraging the NBA two-way contract system to cultivate young talent while maintaining competitive depth. It positions Bufkin within the Jazz organization as they balance immediate needs with long-term player development goals.
Bufkin's arrival impacts the Jazz rotation by filling a two-way spot that limits his availability to 50 regular-season games. Fans should track his assignments between the primary Jazz roster and the Salt Lake City Stars as the team manages his development timeline.
The takeaway
Two-way contracts offer teams a valuable tool for managing player depth without committing to full standard roster spots. Players in these roles must demonstrate consistent performance in the G League to earn promotion to the main NBA rotation.
Further reading
For more on roster moves, visit the Salt Lake City Basketball page.
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