Lakers To Waive Kobe Bufkin

The transaction will open up a spot on Los Angeles’ standard 15-man roster and the team is expected to evaluate options for that opening this weekend, Charania adds. Sunday is the deadline to re-add a 15th man — a signing would have to be completed ahead of Los Angeles’ regular season finale.

The 15th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Bufkin was traded from Atlanta to Brooklyn last summer after two underwhelming, injury-plagued seasons with the Hawks, then was cut by the Nets at the end of the preseason. He spent most of the season with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, earning a spot on the All-NBAGL second team after averaging 24.8 points, 4.1 assists, and 4.0 rebounds in 32.5 minutes per game (24 contests), with a shooting line of .507/.423/.895.

Bufkin’s strong play in the G League earned him 10-day deals from the Grizzlies and Lakers before he signed a standard two-year contract with Los Angeles in February. However, he has played limited minutes at the NBA level since being called up, averaging 2.9 PPG on .300/.192/.917 shooting in 16 games (7.4 MPG).

Bufkin’s two-year deal, worth the minimum salary, wasn’t guaranteed beyond this season. He’ll receive his full $844,607 salary for 2025/26, but the Lakers won’t be on the hook for any money for ’26/27, regardless of whether or not he clears waivers on Sunday.

While there have been no reports yet on which players the Lakers are considering to replace Bufkin on their roster, backcourt depth is a potential area of need, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both sidelined due to injuries.