Lakers waive young guard for potential pre-playoffs signing

The injuries to Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic have undoubtedly left concern for the Los Angeles Lakers as they prepare for the postseason. However, it appears as though the franchise is also looking at potential additions as we approach the end of the regular season.

Kobe Bufkin was only recently recalled from the South Bay Lakers’ G League roster on April 5 to give the Lakers some much-needed depth. However, now, per a post on X by Shams Charania, the Lakers have waived the 22-year-old guard and are looking at a potential signing over the coming days.

“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,” Charania wrote.

Bufkin had been a standout performer in the NBA G League, averaging 24.8 points and being named to the All-NBA G League Second Team. The guard was recalled alongside Dalton Knecht recently, but it appears as though the Lakers were only looking to add one of them to their rotation.

Bufkin played 17 regular season games and also had 4.3 assists per outing with a shooting clip of over 41%. His work in the G League had earned him a two-year standard contract with the Lakers in February.

Bufkin had recently played in the win over the Golden State Warriors, where he logged four minutes and returned with two points and an assist.

“It means a lot… I was down there in the G League. I loved it, but it’s next man up. We just got to be ready,” he had said post-game per AzatTV.

Regardless, the Lakers clearly believe that he is not ready to contribute in the playoffs, and are looking to add a trusted rotational piece. Bufkin had scored in double-digits for South Bay and had returned with more than 40 points on three occasions.

LA still has regular-season games against the Phoenix Suns and the Utah Jazz before the postseason.

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