On Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers will host the Phoenix Suns in California.
The Lakers are coming off a 119-103 win over the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.
Kobe Bufkin finished with two points and one assist while shooting 1/2 from the field in four minutes of playing time.
Los Angeles Lakers Release 3-Year Player
GettyKobe Bufkin #18 of the Los Angeles Lakers on court against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Bufkin is in his first year playing for the Lakers.
He is averaging 2.9 points per contest while shooting 30.0% from the field 16 games.
On Friday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the news that the Lakers are waiving Bufkin.
Charania wrote: “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.”
NBA World Reacts To Bufkin News
GettyKobe Bufkin #18 of the Los Angeles Lakers on court against the Atlanta Hawks in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on January 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Here’s what people were saying about the news on social media:
Dan Woike: “Lakers are waiving Kobe Bufkin, a team source confirms to the Athletic. Lakers will evaluate players this weekend to add someone to playoff roster.”
@LADEig: “Chris Paul??? 👀👀”
Carlos Yakimowich: “The #Lakers have waived Kobe Bufkin. This move opens up a playoff roster spot and we could see LA add a vet guard to their injured backcourt.”
Anthony F. Irwin: “The right move. My semi-educated guess is the spot goes to Timme.”
GettyKobe Bufkin #18 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives past LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
@Rome_Beast: “hopefully he gets an opportunity on a team next year we handled him terribly all signs lead to drew timme getting a roster spot”
@LakersLegacyPod: “Oh damn. Makes sense. Safe to say they Jumped The Gun (though at the time, it was somewhat defensible). I do like Bufkin though. But as a Two-Way player who needs more Reps, not a Standard Contract taking up a real, Playoff-eligible Roster Spot”
@GoldenKnightGFX: “Honestly this was the correct choice. I liked Bufkin & I think the front office gave it a shot. I just don’t think it developed into much when he would see the floor.”
@LAbound2: “I was a big advocate of Bufkin in the draft process But ultimately he didn’t really show much at the parent team level if I’m being objective Now whether he received adequate opportunity is subjective Wish him well moving forward”
Bufkin’s NBA Career
GettyKobe Bufkin #44 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the preseason match between the Brooklyn Nets and Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. at Barclays Center on October 04, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
Bufkin was the 15th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft out of Michigan.
He spent the first two seasons of his career playing for the Atlanta Hawks.
His career averages are 4.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest while shooting 35.4% from the field and 21.2% from three-point range in 43 games.
NBA World Reacts To Los Angeles Lakers Releasing 3-Year Player Before Suns Game