The Los Angeles Lakers are waiving guard Kobe Bufkin, sources tell ESPN. This opens a roster spot for the Lakers to evaluate a signing over the weekend.
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General Manager Rob Pelinka and Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers speak with media during a press conference at UCLA Health Training Center on September 25, 2025 in El Segundo, California.
The Los Angeles Lakers opened a roster spot by waiving guard Kobe Bufkin on Friday. Several analysts and fans have urged the Lakers to consider signing free agent Lonzo Ball to replace Bufkin ahead of their playoff run.
The Lakers could use another ball-handler to fill the void left by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, neither of whom is expected to play the first round of the playoffs.
Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkand noted on X that besides Ball, the likes of Chris Paul and Cole Anthony would also be playoff-eligible.
“Lonzo Ball, Chris Paul, Cole Anthony are some potential options that would be playoff eligible,” Starkand reported.
However, the Lakers beat writer expects the franchise to convert the two-way contract of Drew Timme or Nick Smith Jr., giving one of them a roster spot.
“My guess would be they convert either Drew Timme or Nick Smith Jr.
“If they want to sign a player from outside the org then he must have been waived before March 1 to be playoff eligible.”
The Los Angeles Lakers are waiving guard Kobe Bufkin, sources tell ESPN. This opens a roster spot for the Lakers to evaluate a signing over the weekend.
Ball, drafted No. 2 overall by the Lakers in 2017, could be an interesting addition for JJ Redick’s team, given his size, defensive prowess and ability to organize an offense.
Several fans urged the Rob Pelinka-led front office to sign Ball.
“Lakers need perimeter defense & playmaking & Zo is that guy with size. I can’t watch another minute of Bronny trying to dribble & get his pocket picked,” wrote one fan.
“For what it’s worth, the Lakers have long had interest in a Lonzo Ball return, who was waived at the deadline after being traded from Cleveland to Utah,” added another fan.
“Lonzo would do well at lakers
🚨 Chris Paul, Cole Anthony, and Lonzo Ball are some potential options that would be playoff eligible.
Who would you like the Lakers to sign?
Besides Lonzo Ball, Cole Anthony, and Chris Paul, other playoff-eligible free agents include Chris Boucher, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Mo Bamba.
List of playoff eligible free agents the Lakers could potentially sign:
Lonzo Ball Cole Anthony Chris Paul Chris Boucher
Cam Thomas is NOT playoff eligible ❌
🚨 Lakers now have an open roster spot and these are some of their options 👀
Chris Paul Lonzo Ball Cole Anthony Spencer Dinwiddie
Another fan explained why Anthony, who isn’t injury-prone like Ball, would be a safer pick-up by the Lakers.
“This is the Lakers best option go sign Cole Anthony,” wrote the fan.
“Cole is playoff eligible and is younger than CP3 and better player than Lonzo Ball right now. After seeing what we had last night from the point guard position we need another ball handler on this team. Should we go sign Cole??”
The Lakers will begin their playoff campaign next Saturday at home, either against the Houston Rockets or the Minnesota Timberwolves. JJ Redick’s team secured home-court advantage with a 101-73 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided's Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan
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