The current roster is led by recent draft selections Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero, along with two-way players Chris Manon, AK Okereke, and Peter Suder. Returning G League forward Arthur Kaluma has been among the standout performers, though several key contributors from last season’s South Bay Lakers have moved on to pursue other opportunities.
Kobe Bufkin’s progress continues to draw attention. After earning a 10-day contract with the Lakers, Bufkin secured a two-year NBA deal at the buyout deadline before ultimately being waived ahead of the playoffs. He has since joined the New Orleans Pelicans’ Summer League roster in hopes of earning another NBA opportunity. In Las Vegas, Bufkin has averaged 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 block through three games, while shooting 45.2% from the field and 31.8% from three-point range. Bufkin produced a notable debut for the Pelicans with 30 points in roughly 32 minutes, including five three-pointers, in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He added four rebounds, six assists, and five steals, continuing to showcase the two-way potential that made him one of the more productive guards in the G League last season. His performance underscores Bufkin as one of the more intriguing young guards outside the NBA.
RJ Davis, a former South Bay standout, is another notable name on the summer circuit. Davis joined the San Antonio Spurs’ Summer League roster, sharing the court with fellow 2026 draft picks Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed, along with Carter Bryant. Across six Summer League appearances spanning the California Classic and Las Vegas, Davis has averaged 12.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. His shooting percentages stand at 37.3% from the field, 25.0% from three-point range, and 55.6% from the free-throw line. While his distribution and consistency have shown gaps, Davis has flashed two-way potential, including an 18-point performance against the Lakers in the California Classic and a 20-point, three-assist, two-steal effort against the Milwaukee Bucks in Las Vegas. Standing six feet tall, he remains an intriguing floor-spacing guard for future opportunities in the organization where his development can continue.
Malik Williams, another former South Bay contributor, made his Summer League debut with the Chicago Bulls in Las Vegas. In a close 97-96 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies, Williams scored 10 points in 21 minutes, shooting 3-of-6 from the field and hitting two three-pointers to demonstrate his floor-spacing ability. He also contributed seven rebounds (three on the offensive glass), along with one assist, one steal, and one block, finishing with a team-best plus-minus. This opening performance could help him secure a longer look as Summer League progresses.
Looking ahead, Bufkin has remaining Summer League games and may also participate in training camp as he chases a larger role with New Orleans, a team with two open two-way roster spots. For Davis and Williams, securing regular-season spots with their current organizations might be less likely, with potential moves to affiliates such as the Austin Spurs and Windy City Bulls representing more realistic paths. Any such transition would require the returning G League rights to be cleared from the Lakers, a standard offseason process across the league.
The Lakers appear committed to reshaping their developmental pipeline around a refreshed group of players in the rebranded Coachella Valley Lakers, aiming to uncover the organization’s next hidden gem. As the Summer League continues, these players have opportunities to demonstrate their versatility and readiness for increased responsibilities in the future.
For fans and followers, these summer performances offer a glimpse into the Lakers’ strategic emphasis on developing homegrown and affiliate talent, while evaluating potential fits for the NBA roster in the seasons ahead.
