Jazz agree to sign Kobe Bufkin to a two-way deal, with Blake Hinson the likely odd man out

Guard Kobe Bufkin, waived Saturday by the Pelicans, has agreed to a two-way contract with the Jazz, Jake Fischer reports.

Utah has no open two-way slot, so it has to waive one of its current two-way players to make room. According to Michael Scotto, the odd man out will be forward Blake Hinson.

Bufkin, 23, was the No. 15 pick in the 2023 draft and has played 43 games in three NBA seasons. He battled injuries in Atlanta, spent part of 2025-26 with the Lakers before being waived in April, and signed with the Pelicans in July on an Exhibit 9 training camp deal but did not make their regular season roster. He has averaged 4.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 10.2 minutes per game in the NBA. Last season he averaged 24.8 points, 4.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 24 G League games for the South Bay Lakers and made the All-NBAGL second team.

Hinson, 26, averaged 11.9 points on .513/.468/.750 shooting in 14 games for the Jazz last season, and scored 23.5 points per game in 32 G League appearances.

This is Bufkin’s last year of two-way eligibility, so the deal covers one season. If it is finalized Wednesday, he can appear in up to 50 regular season games for Utah.