Getty
Rob Pelinka, President of Basketball Operations and General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, is not done with the offseason.
As the February trade deadline passed, a wave of high-profile names suddenly emerged on the buyout market, presenting the Los Angeles Lakers with a clear opportunity to strengthen their roster.
After taking a conservative approach at the deadline, with Luke Kennard their only addition, it appeared likely that the Lakers would turn aggressive in the buyout market, particularly with a roster spot still available.
Several notable names, including Lonzo Ball, Cam Thomas, Haywood Highsmith, and Jeremy Sochan, became available.
Instead, the Lakers made a surprising move, bypassing the buyout market entirely to sign G League standout Kobe Bufkin to a two-year standard NBA contract.
At the time, the decision drew significant criticism.
Lakers’ Buyout Market Decision Drew Scrutiny
Thomas ultimately signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, Highsmith joined the Phoenix Suns, and Sochan landed with the New York Knicks, while Ball remains unsigned due to ongoing injury concerns.
Among those names, Thomas stood out as the most intriguing option, offering youth and scoring upside rarely seen on the buyout market.
The 24-year-old averaged 24 points per game last season with the Brooklyn Nets and made an immediate impact in Milwaukee, scoring 34 points in just 25 minutes in a win over the Orlando Magic.
On paper, Thomas appeared to be an ideal fit for a Lakers bench that has struggled for consistent scoring production throughout the season.
However, his stint with the Bucks proved short-lived, as he was surprisingly released just weeks after signing.
Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk has praised general manager Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ front office for opting against that route in favor of a longer-term approach.
“Many in Laker land believe Cam Thomas was a natural fit following his release from the Brooklyn Nets,” Rovenchuk wrote. “There was an open roster spot for the Lakers post-deadline, so they could have easily brought Thomas in, if they wanted to. Rob Pelinka and the front office went in another direction.”
“They took a future-minded approach by securing Kobe Bufkin to a standard deal. It goes to show that the discussions around [Thomas] have been right on the money. There is not a lot of room left for his archetype in the NBA.”
“The common critique of Thomas has been questioning what value a team gets from him when the ball is not going through the hoop. The answer to that is very little to nothing.”
Bufkin’s Development Strengthens LA’s Long-Term Outlook
In the G League this season with the South Bay Lakers, Bufkin has developed into one of the most productive guards at that level.
Through 23 games, he averaged 25.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 51.1% from the field and an impressive 42.5% from three-point range.
While the 22-year-old has looked NBA-ready in the G League, his opportunities with the Lakers have remained limited.
Across 11 NBA appearances, spanning his initial 10-day contract and subsequent permanent deal, Bufkin has logged just 90 total minutes, the lowest figure on the roster outside of two-way guard Chris Manon.
Still, he remains a developmental option who could be called upon as the season progresses, particularly as rotations tighten and depth becomes increasingly important heading into the postseason.
“Bufkin may not have much of an impact on the Lakers this season, but Thomas could have actually been a detriment,” Rovenchuk added. “The best move here for Pelinka was not making a move at all. That deserves some kudos.”
In hindsight, the decision reflects a rare instance where Pelinka’s patience has drawn praise.
Alternative pathways were available, including offering Bufkin another 10-day contract or a two-way deal to preserve flexibility.
Instead, the Lakers committed early, signaling a clear focus on internal development and long-term roster planning.
Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans
More Heavy on Lakers
Loading more stories