Before the end of the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers decided to waive Kobe Bufkin in order to open up a roster spot for the start of the playoffs.
The options to fill that spot were limited considering the players needs to have been waived by his previous team before March 1. There is also in-house options though and that is the route the Lakers decided to go, signing two-way guard Nick Smith Jr., per Shams Charania of ESPN:
The Los Angeles Lakers are signing two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. on a new two-year contract, Lucas Newton of Klutch Sports tells ESPN. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined, the Lakers add guard depth for the playoffs. Smith has averaged 6 points and 40% from 3 this season. pic.twitter.com/DTY3TtnsIn
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 12, 2026
With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both likely out for the start of the playoffs, the Lakers clearly think they needed some playmaking in the backcourt to get by for the time being.
Two-way players are not eligible for the postseason, so the Lakers needed to upgraded Smith’s contract for him to be able to play in the playoffs. Considering it is a two-year deal, they likely tacked on a team option for the 2026-27 in case they want to retain him.
Smith has the ability to get hot from deep at any time, as he has shown throughout the season, averaging 6.0 points and 1.1 assists while shooting 41.6% from deep in 12.3 minutes per game across 28 contests for the Lakers.
L.A. seemingly chose Smith over big man Drew Timme for this roster spot, so the latter will not be eligible to play in the postseason.
JJ Redick wants players locked in for Lakers in postseason
JJ Redick recently discussed the main priority and focus over these final regular season games for the Lakers, wanting to find players who are locked in on fighting for the team once the playoffs begin.
“I called the early timeout because Rui didn’t do his job, so took him out of the game,” Redick said after the loss. “We’ve got to find nine guys that are all in on us fighting and willing to go out on whatever metaphor you want to use — I don’t want to use a war metaphor in this time — but whatever you got to do to go out and fight and be all in on the team, we’ll find the nine guys. It’s a great opportunity for us, over the next three games to find those guys.”
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