Why this former first-round pick could help the Lakers on both ends

Could Kobe Bufkin give a boost to Lakers?

The team announced Tuesday that it will sign G-League guard Kobe Bufkin to a 10-day contract. Bufkin has excelled for the South Bay Lakers this season, averaging 28.7 points per game to go along with 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.7 blocks. Though he can’t solve all the Lakers' issues, the former first-round pick is an intriguing prospect who may be able to address some of the team's most pressing needs.

The Lakers are currently shooting 33.8% from three-point range, which ranks last in the NBA. Despite this shortcoming, Los Angeles sits just two games back from the second-seeded Spurs. Any improvement from behind the arc would significantly boost their chances of closing this gap. 

Bufkin has shown this season that he can be an effective scorer and a capable shooter from distance, shooting 39% from three-point range. With LeBron James and Luka Doncic handling the bulk of the scoring, Bufkin won’t be asked to put together massive outputs, but if he can knock down shots consistently, it could be a tremendous boost.

Bufkin has also demonstrated that he can be a high-energy, physical defender. The Lakers already feature proven defenders, such as former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt, and meaningful contributions from Bufkin could help further bolster the defense.

The Lakers currently average 8.3 steals per game, ranking 15th in the NBA.  If Bufkin can translate his defensive instincts to the NBA level and generate turnovers, it could help Los Angeles take a step forward in that area and swing the outcome of close matchups. 

Despite the signing, there is no guarantee that Bufkin is the answer to any of the Lakers' problems; however, his upside and low cost make him worth the risk.