{"id":188390,"date":"2026-04-10T15:21:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T19:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=188390"},"modified":"2026-04-10T15:21:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T19:21:10","slug":"lakers-two-prime-candidates-replace-kobe-bufkin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/04\/10\/lakers-two-prime-candidates-replace-kobe-bufkin\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Have Two Prime Candidates to Replace Kobe Bufkin"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Lakers\u2019 guard rotation took a minor hit Friday, as the team waived G League standout and former first-round pick <\/span>Kobe Bufkin<\/span><\/a>. The 22-year-old signed a two-year deal with LA in February. However, he had inconsistent reps despite the team\u2019s injury crisis\u2014particularly with the <\/span>absences<\/span><\/a> of <\/span>Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Austin Reaves<\/span><\/a>. In 7.4 minutes across 16 games (one start), Bufkin averaged 2.9 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists.<\/span><\/p>\n

With one roster spot open ahead of the Lakers\u2019 postseason run, two possible candidates are right under their noses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers Have Two Prime Candidates to Replace Kobe Bufkin<\/h2>\n

Head coach JJ Redick said he wanted players who\u2019d be <\/span>\u201call-in\u201d for the postseason<\/span><\/a>. Luckily for him, two other young standouts may fit the bill perfectly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick Smith Jr.<\/h3>\n

Coming off a garbage time heater against Golden State, <\/span>Nick Smith Jr.<\/span><\/a> reminded Laker Nation why he\u2019s a positive asset to the purple and gold. In 11 minutes of action Thursday, Smith scored 12 points on 4-5 shooting from three\u2014all of his buckets coming from fourth-quarter target practice. That followed a modest 11-point outing in LA\u2019s Tuesday loss to the OKC Thunder, where he went 4-6 from the field.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a <\/span>breakout game in November<\/span><\/a> and a decent stretch in December, Smith Jr. largely became an afterthought in LA. A series of unfortunate events has pressed him back into service, and needless to say, he\u2019s delivered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Nick Smith Jr. vs Warriors:
12 PTS 4\/5 FG 120 TS% pic.twitter.com\/CUIEscyYXO<\/a><\/p>\n

— Laker Performances (@LALPerformance) April 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n