The Lakers waived Kobe Bufkin on Friday, opening a roster spot for the team to sign another player who could be eligible for its playoff roster.
Bufkin signed a two-year deal with the Lakers with a team option for 2026-27 in early February after starring for the organization’s South Bay G League affiliate and signing a 10-day contract with the Lakers in January.
The No. 15 pick out of Michigan in the 2023 draft, Bufkin played two seasons for the Hawks before being traded to the Nets last September before being waived in October and traded to South Bay in November.
His playing time with the Lakers was mainly limited to garbage time, with Bufkin averaging 7.4 minutes in 16 games played. He played four minutes in Thursday’s road win over the Warriors, scoring two points and racking up an assist.
Waiving Bufkin reopens the 15th roster spot for the Lakers.
They could convert one of their two-way players to a standard contract so they’d be eligible to play in the playoffs.
Two-way big man Drew Timme started in Tuesday’s home loss to the Thunder, recording 11 points and three rebounds, and played nine minutes against the Warriors. Two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. scored a combined 23 points in 23 minutes on 8-of-11 shooting against the Thunder and Warriors.
Players on two-way contracts have to be converted before the end of the regular season to be eligible for a postseason roster spot.
The Lakers could also sign a free agent with their final roster spot.
Players who were waived before March 1 are eligible to be on postseason rosters.
Rosters for the playoffs are officially set at noon Monday.