Despite likely losing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for the rest of the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers are doing their best to stay competitive. However, losing their top two scorers is going to be difficult to overcome.
With the playoffs nearing, the Lakers have decided to open up a roster spot. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the team has waived guard Kobe Bufkin.
Bufkin has played in 16 games for the Lakers this season, averaging 2.9 points per game. He’s been bouncing between the team’s roster and the South Bay Lakers for much of the season.
The 22-year-old guard originally came into the NBA as a first-round pick of the Atlanta Hawks in 2023. He hasn’t been able to live up to his draft status, which is why he’s been bouncing between the NBA and the G League. He has played really well in the G League, so there’s a chance he could end up back in South Bay.
With Reaves and Doncic out for now, it’s easy to understand why the Lakers wanted to open up a roster spot by letting Bufkin walk. It’ll be interesting to see if they try to find a veteran who can add some scoring help for the final regular season stretch.
Who Could Lakers Look to Add?
At this point in the season, there aren’t going to be very many good options available in free agency. A reunion with Malik Beasley would make a ton of sense, but his NBA days might be numbered after he was investigated by the United States government. The fact that he hasn’t been signed yet means that NBA teams are cautious about giving him a roster spot.
If the Lakers are feeling really risky, they could give a chance to Ben Simmons. The team needs playmakers and while he hasn’t been a good playmaker for a long time, perhaps his recent time off could’ve been good for him.
There aren’t many strong options in free agency, so the Lakers might only be able to take big swings right now.
Do Lakers Have Any Chance in the Playoffs?
The hope is that Reaves and Doncic will be back on the court in time for the playoffs, but that is far from a guarantee. If either of those guys misses time in the playoffs, the Lakers are going to have a tough time.
ESPN spoke with people around the NBA about the team’s chances. The Lakers may need LeBron James to turn back the clock if they’re going to have any chance.
“There’s tactical stuff I’m sure [Lakers coach JJ Redick] and his staff are examining, and they’re running through lineup ideas,” an Eastern Conference scout told Brian Windhorst. But honestly, the Lakers need LeBron to have a hot shooting series and for the Rockets to have a cold shooting series. That’s possible, and when LeBron gets his 3-pointer going, it opens up the entire game.”
Marcus Smart is also going to be a very important player at this time.
“They need Marcus Smart to be healthy,” a Western Conference scout told ESPN. “He’s an important point-of-attack defender for them. They can’t afford to lose another starter, and he’s been out.”
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