NBA draft analysis: Kobe Bufkin is the type of versatile perimeter player Pelicans like

The New Orleans Pelicans hold the No. 14 pick in the upcoming draft. Over the next few weeks, we will be taking an in-depth look at New Orleans’ potential targets in our prospect profile series. First up: Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin.

Kobe Bufkin made a significant jump between his first and second seasons in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Bufkin raised his scoring average from 3.0 points per game to 14.0 points per game. He did that while shooting 54.6% on 2s, 35.5% on 3s and 84.9% from the free-throw line — highly respectable splits. 

It is plausible that Bufkin’s improvement could springboard the skilled combo guard into the lottery. The Athletic projected him to go 14th to the Pelicans in its first mock draft following last week’s lottery, while ESPN had Bufkin going 19th to the Golden State Warriors. The Ringer rated Bufkin as its 10th-best prospect, writing that ​​he is a “dynamic two-way presence who will fill up highlight reels. If his jumper keeps trending up, he has All-Star potential.”

Southpaw with craft

Bufkin is a left-handed player who seems to glide when he has the ball in his hands. He showed he can hit a variety of shots in his sophomore season at Michigan. Right now, he is most advanced as a scorer at the rim. Bufkin can make difficult runners, especially with his dominant hand.

Bufkin is not a pure point guard, but he showed he could play either guard spot in college. He looked comfortable driving downhill off of pick-and-rolls and dribble hand-offs, and he offered glimpses of impressive playmaking ability.

Bufkin loved to use the pump fake to get past defenders. The mechanics on his jump shot are solid. His 83.3% free-throw percentage in college is an indicator that he has good touch.

Bufkin is a competitive defender who racked up 43 steals and 23 blocks in 33 games. At the combine, he measured 6-foot-5 in shoes with a 6-foot-8 wingspan. He has good length, but he will need to bulk up. He weighs 187 pounds.

Fit in New Orleans

The Pelicans love versatile perimeter players with length. They took Nickeil Alexander-Walker 17th in 2019, Trey Murphy 17th in 2021, Herb Jones 35th in 2021 and Dyson Daniels eight last year. All four of those players are somewhere between 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-10. Bufkin fits this type of mold.

Bufkin is not a true point guard, but that might not matter to the Pelicans, who already split offensive initiation duties between Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum.

Bufkin is also young for a player who did two years of college. He doesn’t turn 20 until September. He was productive at Michigan, and he offers upside. If the Pelicans keep the No. 14 pick, there is a good chance he is still on the board, provided his stock doesn’t climb too high in the next month.