Overview
- Memphis received a hardship exception, which allows teams to exceed the 15-man roster when at least four players are out long term.
- Ja Morant (calf), Ty Jerome (calf), Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe surgery) and Javon Small (turf toe) are sidelined, with Brandon Clarke still recovering from offseason knee surgery.
- Bufkin joins from the South Bay Lakers after two Tip-Off Tournament games in which he averaged 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists on 44.4% shooting and 50% from three.
- The 2023 No. 15 pick previously dealt with a fractured thumb, a sprained toe and season-ending shoulder surgery in December 2024 while with Atlanta.
- He was traded to Brooklyn in the offseason, waived in final cuts, entered the G League player pool and had his rights acquired by South Bay before this call-up.