Originally published by LakersNation.com
With the postseason just around the corner and the Los Angeles Lakers trying to figure out the best possible rotations and lineups as they navigate things without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the team is waiving guard Kobe Bufkin, via Shams Charania of ESPN:
The Los Angeles Lakers are waiving guard Kobe Bufkin, sources tell ESPN. This opens a roster spot for the Lakers to evaluate a signing over the weekend.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 10, 2026
By waivingg Bufkin, the Lakers have opened up a roster spot before the postseason and have until Sunday to sign someone and have them eligible for the postseason. Any player that was released by another team after March 1 would not be eligible, however.
The Lakers signed Bufkin to their final roster spot earlier this season after he dominated for the South Bay Lakers in the G League, even earning a Second Team All G League selection this season.
Head coach JJ Redick has used the last couple of games to give different players a look, especially in the backcourt. Bufkin, Bronny James, Adou Thiero, Nick Smith Jr. and Dalton Knecht have all gotten minutes to see how they respond as the Lakers do their best to continue to push through without their two leading scorers. Bufkin has been fine in his minutes, but the Lakers clearly feel this roster spot could be better served elsewhere.
The Lakers could look to sign an outside free agent that they feel could help, or they could choose to convert one of their two-way players to a standard contract. Two-way players are not eligible for the playoffs and both Smith and Drew Timme have been trusted by Redick at different points of the season.
With the backcourt suffering the most losses with Doncic and Reaves out, as well as Marcus Smart still recovering from his right ankle contusion, the team could look to convert Smith. Earlier this season, he stepped up in a big way when the Lakers were without key players and it is noteworthy that in the team’s victory over the Golden State Warriors, he was one of just three players off the bench to play at least 10 minutes. His ability to score in bunches could be valuable in the postseason.
To that same point, Timme recently drew a spot start against the Oklahoma City Thunder and helped the Lakers get off to a decent start and hang in against the defending champs through most of the first half.
Bufkin appeared in 16 games for the Lakers this season with one start, averaging 2.9 points in 7.4 minutes per game.
JJ Redick wants players locked in for Lakers in postseason
Redick has spoken about his main priority and focus over these final few games being to find his group of players that are all locked in on fighting for the Lakers once the playoffs begin.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
With the postseason just around the corner and the Los Angeles Lakers trying to figure out the best possible rotations and lineups as they navigate things without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the team is waiving guard Kobe Bufkin, via Shams Charania of ESPN:
The Los Angeles Lakers are waiving guard Kobe Bufkin, sources tell ESPN. This opens a roster spot for the Lakers to evaluate a signing over the weekend.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 10, 2026
By waivingg Bufkin, the Lakers have opened up a roster spot before the postseason and have until Sunday to sign someone and have them eligible for the postseason. Any player that was released by another team after March 1 would not be eligible, however.
The Lakers signed Bufkin to their final roster spot earlier this season after he dominated for the South Bay Lakers in the G League, even earning a Second Team All G League selection this season.
Head coach JJ Redick has used the last couple of games to give different players a look, especially in the backcourt. Bufkin, Bronny James, Adou Thiero, Nick Smith Jr. and Dalton Knecht have all gotten minutes to see how they respond as the Lakers do their best to continue to push through without their two leading scorers. Bufkin has been fine in his minutes, but the Lakers clearly feel this roster spot could be better served elsewhere.
The Lakers could look to sign an outside free agent that they feel could help, or they could choose to convert one of their two-way players to a standard contract. Two-way players are not eligible for the playoffs and both Smith and Drew Timme have been trusted by Redick at different points of the season.
With the backcourt suffering the most losses with Doncic and Reaves out, as well as Marcus Smart still recovering from his right ankle contusion, the team could look to convert Smith. Earlier this season, he stepped up in a big way when the Lakers were without key players and it is noteworthy that in the team’s victory over the Golden State Warriors, he was one of just three players off the bench to play at least 10 minutes. His ability to score in bunches could be valuable in the postseason.
To that same point, Timme recently drew a spot start against the Oklahoma City Thunder and helped the Lakers get off to a decent start and hang in against the defending champs through most of the first half.
Bufkin appeared in 16 games for the Lakers this season with one start, averaging 2.9 points in 7.4 minutes per game.
JJ Redick wants players locked in for Lakers in postseason
Redick has spoken about his main priority and focus over these final few games being to find his group of players that are all locked in on fighting for the Lakers once the playoffs begin.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!