Overview
- The Lakers signed guard Nick Smith Jr. to a standard two-year contract Sunday, making him eligible for the playoffs before the league’s roster cutoff.
- Los Angeles opened the final roster spot by waiving Kobe Bufkin earlier in the weekend.
- The decision addresses injuries to Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique), who are sidelined and could miss early playoff games.
- Under NBA rules, two-way players cannot play in the postseason, so the conversion adds needed backcourt depth and leaves fellow two-way big Drew Timme ineligible.
- Reports describe a team option and a non‑guaranteed 2026–27 salary, and Smith has averaged about 6 points in 12 minutes on roughly 40% three-point shooting across 28–30 games this season.