Kobe Bufkin is no longer on New Orleans' roster as of Sunday's official list. A Saturday report said the Pelicans waived Bufkin along with Jalon Moore.
The move
Kobe Bufkin, a 23-year-old guard in his third season, leaves the New Orleans Pelicans and is off the roster as of Sunday, Oct. 18, per the official roster. The move follows a Saturday, Oct. 17 report from hoopsrumors that the Pelicans waived Bufkin and Jalon Moore. New Orleans now carries 18 players on its roster, against a standard limit of 15 plus three two-way slots.
The money
Bufkin's 2026-27 salary on file was $2.4M. New Orleans carries a payroll of $204.3M across 19 contracts for 2026-27, over the luxury tax. The cap is set at $165.0M, the tax line at $200.4M, the first apron at $209.0M and the second apron at $221.7M. Those figures reflect the roster before this move clears.
The fit
Bufkin played 16 games last season, averaging 7.5 minutes, 2.9 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists. New Orleans' rotation last season was led by Trey Murphy III (35.5 minutes, 21.5 points), Saddiq Bey (31.2 minutes, 17.7 points) and Zion Williamson (29.7 minutes, 21.0 points), with Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen also logging more than 25 minutes a game. The Pelicans still list 18 players on the roster.
Why is Kobe Bufkin off the Pelicans roster?
He is no longer on New Orleans' official roster as of Sunday, Oct. 18. A Saturday, Oct. 17 report from hoopsrumors said the Pelicans waived him along with Jalon Moore.
What did Bufkin do last season?
He played 16 games for New Orleans, averaging 7.5 minutes, 2.9 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists.
What is New Orleans' payroll situation?
The Pelicans carry $204.3M across 19 contracts for 2026-27, over the luxury tax line of $200.4M, with a cap of $165.0M, a first apron of $209.0M and a second apron of $221.7M.