The New Orleans Pelicans have some major decisions to make as their summer league campaign comes to a close. With one roster spot open and likely only one two-way spot available once second-round pick Jaron Pierre Jr. signs, the Pelicans face a dilemma with Kobe Bufkin. The 22 year old has been New Orleans' leading scorer in summer league play, averaging 21.3 points per game, including a 30-point game in his Pelicans debut.
After being a top-15 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Bufkin’s NBA career hasn’t been so kind to him. In three seasons, Bufkin logged just 43 games and posted career shooting splits of 35.4 percent from the field and 21.2 percent from three. That made the 2026 Summer League a make-or-break showcase for Bufkin, and from day one, it was clear he was playing with a different chip on his shoulder. In that opening game against Minnesota, he was aggressive on offense, attacking every matchup and really playing with a “you can’t guard me” mentality.
Then reality started to set in. After going 5-of-9 from three in the opener, Bufkin shot 2-of-13 from three over his next two games, and the concerns with him as a player started to resurface. This is where the debate starts for the Pelicans. While Bufkin has been mostly strong and could provide needed shot creation, his three-point shooting is shaky, and he plays a position that New Orleans doesn’t desperately need.
Should Bufkin stay or go?
Whether it’s creating off the dribble, mid-range jumpers, finishing through contact, or taking a defensive rebound and going end-to-end, he is an absolute hooper, no questions about it. But for a Pelicans team that ranked in the bottom 10 in all major three-point statistics, taking on a guard whose three-point jumper has been his biggest downfall is a big-time risk.
Unlike summer league, Bufkin wouldn’t have the ball in his hands all the time and would be playing off the ball way more. The issue with placing him in that role is that his outside shot is a massive question mark—off the ball, he isn’t a threat to opposing defenses or someone they have to respect on that end. Sure, with the ball in his hands, he can get the team a bucket, but when you have Jordan Poole, who provides that same shot creation ability and can space the floor, why even entertain retaining Bufkin?
Poole’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the New Orleans guard room. Both Jeremiah Fears and Dejounte Murray are players who need 28-plus minutes per game and could both start for this team. So, between those two and Poole, the need for a fourth lead guard who needs to be on the ball to be maximized is literally zero.
The Pelicans have much larger fish to fry than adding another guard, whether it’s the center position, the wing spot, or adding more shooting—those all outweigh the need for Bufkin. There’s no doubt Bufkin has shown enough to earn an NBA contract, but the Pelicans can’t afford to use one of their final roster space on a luxury instead of a need.
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