Jazz to waive Blake Hinson, sign Kobe Bufkin
Oct 21, 2026, 10:37 AM
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz plan to waive wing Blake Hinson and sign guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-way contract, KSL Sports can confirm.
Hinson signed with the Jazz on a two-way contract in February and appeared in 14 games.
Bufkin was the 15th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Can confirm the @utahjazz’s plans to waive Blake Hinson, and add Kobe Bufkin on a two-way deal.
The Jazz had looked closely at Bufkin in the 2023 draft, who was taken one spot ahead of Keyonte George.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 21, 2026
Jazz to waive Blake Hinson, sign Kobe Bufkin
Hinson made an immediate impact on the Jazz during the final month of the 2025-26 season, knocking down 37 3-pointers in just 212 minutes. That was by far the highest rate on the team and 1.4 more made 3-pointers per 36 minutes than Brice Sensabaugh, who ranked second on a per-minute basis.
Despite struggling with his shot during Summer League, Hinson again impressed during the Jazz’s preseason. The Florida native shot 45 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range in four appearances while averaging 7.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in just over 14 minutes per game.
Hinson went viral after making 4-of-5 3-point attempts against the Denver Nuggets in a preseason game, expressing his commitment to earning a roster spot.
“I can help however,” Hinson said. “I can go get coffee. I can maybe make a shot. I can talk to somebody. I can watch your dog. I just want to be a part of the program.”
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The Jazz waived the wing before opening night in favor of the more experienced Bufkin.
Though Bufkin is three years younger than Hinson, he has appeared in 43 career games with the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers.
The Hawks drafted Bufkin one pick ahead of Keyonte George, who has become a mainstay in the Jazz rotation during his first three seasons in the league.
George signed a five-year, $157.5 million contract extension with the Jazz during the summer.
Related: Is Keyonte George’s contract a good one for the Jazz?
Bufkin signed a non-guaranteed contract with the New Orleans Pelicans in July, but the team waived him last week.
A Michigan native, Bufkin spent two seasons at the University of Michigan before declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft.
The guard had a quiet freshman season but averaged 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists as a sophomore before the Hawks selected him just outside the lottery.
Kobe Bufkin shot over 70% at the rim this season. Very impressive deceleration and touch around the hoop.
An absurd touch finish here. https://t.co/wttjmflsUH
— Brayden Todd (@_braynba) May 3, 2023
Bufkin suffered a broken thumb during his first summer in the NBA, derailing his rookie season in Atlanta, and never established a consistent role with the team.
The 23-year-old has averaged 4.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 35 percent from the field and 21 percent from 3-point range during his NBA career.
While he has struggled to carve out a role in the NBA, Bufkin has excelled in the G League. He has averaged 24.3 points, 5.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 48 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range in 31 regular-season appearances.
Next Utah Jazz Broadcast
The Jazz will travel to open the season against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday at 6 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 2-6pm with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on X at @BensHoops or on BlueSky.
